Movements are prohibited between 10 pm and 4 am, and businesses are required to close at 9 pm. There will be no single nightclub open nor live bands and concerts that usually characterise the greatest festive season of the year. And, if you are planning to make merry with your extended family you should be reminded that parties and other kinds of celebrations are prohibited. The Christian rituals of Christmas prayers are allowed albeit under strict measures, including a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination certificate for worshippers. For the second Christmas in a row, the highly contagious virus—which has killed 1,345 people in Rwanda as of December 22, 2021, and left many others with trauma—has upset the rhythm of daily life and holiday celebrations that typically buoys locals as well as international visitors. A few weeks ago, almost everyone was hoping for a more joyous Christmas, not clear of the pandemic—but one with lighter restrictions than a year ago. That was before the arrival of the omicron variant of coronavirus, believed to spread faster than the Delta variant, forced the government to impose tighter measures following a rapid surge in new infections. But the situation facing us now is quite different. More people have been vaccinated, including with booster shots. As a result of more vaccinations, scientists tell us that we have a stronger wall of immunity. We have also become a more resilient society, able to deal with the current circumstances. In addition, we have more information about the virus, which we can use to control its spread if we behave more responsibly. The temptation to take the family on a trip or spend the festive season with relatives in the countryside is high. We should do so if we can’t avoid it, but with extra caution. Embarking on a trip when Covid-19 infections are rising again might turn out to be a costly journey, particularly to old people who are among the most vulnerable to the virus. It should be everyone’s right to enjoy but it is also everyone’s obligation to protect themselves, friends, and loved ones from this highly infectious virus. We should find safer ways to celebrate. It is a grim way to honour the most important event on the Christian calendar. But if we don’t restrain ourselves and observe the measures set by the government, we risk undoing the hard-won gains, which might lead to more challenging months ahead. Merry Christmas!
