Guidelines to Celebrate New Year Eve Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

The year 2020 is finally drawing to a close. 2020 was extremely challenging for everyone across the world in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The year gave us all a crash course in washing our hands clean, living remotely through our routines, practicing physical distancing with all our loved ones, and coming up with new traditions for celebrating all our festivals.

As we are gearing up to ring in 2021 since the total number of daily COVID-19 cases in India is falling; unfortunately, there’s a constant fear of the crisis coming back again due to the new more infectious, coronavirus strain found in the United Kingdom (UK).

India has already banned flights from the UK till Jan 7 as a precautionary measure. Apart from this, several states in India have already announced certain restrictions on New Year Eve celebrations.

As per the US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the safest way to celebrate New Year Eve is to celebrate at home with your family members (the people who live with you) or virtually with friends. Staying at home, wearing a mask when you are out, maintaining social distance are still the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 infections.

Remember, if you are planning to celebrate New Year eve, travelling and gatherings with family members and friends who do not stay or live with you can raise your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 infection.

Celebrating a Safe New Year Eve with Family and Friends
Staying home and celebrating with those you live with or virtual celebration with loved ones who do not stay with you is the safest choice this year. Avoid attend large gatherings this year.

Whether you are a host or are attending a small gathering, everyone can take steps to celebrate the New Year safely.

Here are a few precautions to be taken to keep COVID-19 pandemic at bay

If you are a host:

1. Talk to all your guests ahead of time to set all the expectations for celebrating right.
2. Reduce the number of guests, if possible.
3. Try and keep the celebrations outdoors.
4. If the celebrations are indoors, keep all the doors and windows open. If possible, use a window fan to blow out the air inside. The will pull fresh air in through your open windows.
5. Clean and disinfect all the frequently touched items and surfaces between use.
6. If possible, have your guests bring their own drinks, food, disposable glasses, cups and plates as well as utensils
7. Keep extra unused masks available for guests. Encourage everyone to wear them inside and even outside.
8. Keep background music in low volume, so the guests don’t have to shout.

If you are attending a New Year Celebration

1. If possible, stay at home. Try and avoid going out for celebrations and remain apart from others
2. If you are going out for any celebration, know what to do beforehand, during and after travel.
3. Bring your own drinks, food, disposable glasses, cups and plates as well as utensils.
4. If possible, use single-use options.
5. Wear your mask indoors and outdoors too, and store your mask safely while eating and drinking.
6. Avoid singing and shouting.
7. Stay away from drugs and avoid alcohol that can alter your judgement and make it difficult for you to practice the COVID-19 safety precautions

Conclusion:
We all need a lot of caution while bidding good-bye to 2020 and welcoming the New Year 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We all can enjoy the New Year only if we are healthy. India’s state and central governments have issued certain guidelines for people, and it is best to follow them if you are celebrating New Year eve out of your home. After the emergence of a new variant of coronavirus in the UK, it has become even more important for all of us to be extra cautious to contain the spread of this disease.