Palestinian scout bands march through Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, during Christmas celebrations, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Friday.
Mahmoud Illean / AP
hide captions
switch captions
Mahmoud Illean / AP
Palestinian scout bands march through Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, during Christmas celebrations, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Friday.
Mahmoud Illean / AP
From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the coronavirus surge took a hit on Christmas Eve for a second year, forcing churches to cancel or scale back services and disrupt travel plans schedule and family gatherings.
Drummers and bagpipes marching via Bethlehem with smaller-than-usual crowds after new Israeli travel restrictions meant to slow the highly contagious omicron variant kept international tourists away from the town where Jesus is believed to be was born.
In Germany, a line wound around Cologne’s cathedral, not for midnight Mass but for vaccinations. Church director Guido Assmann told the DPA news agency that the offer to shoot was an expression of “care for the neighbour”, in keeping with the Christmas message.
Around the world, people tired of nearly two years of embargo and other restrictions have been looking for ways to safely enjoy the holiday rituals.
“We cannot let the virus take our lives while we are healthy,” said Rosalia Lopes, a retired Portuguese government employee who was doing a last-minute shopping trip in the coastal town of Cascais. strong.
She said she and her family were exhausted from the pandemic and determined to prepare for the celebration with the support of vaccines and booster shots, rapid testing at home and wearing of masks in public. She had planned a traditional Portuguese Christmas Eve dinner of grilled cod.
In New York City, where omicrons have been widespread, people wait in long lines to get tested, many doing so as a precaution before traveling to reunite with family.
Brianna Sultan and her daughter Ava, 8, spent Friday in one of the long lines waiting for tests after they received word of another infection at school.
“What a terrible way to spend Christmas Eve,” said Sultan, after more than two hours in line and into the chill of the evening in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. “It’s terrible that we can’t see our families because this strain of COVID is breaking out again.”
Holiday travel has been dealt a blow as major airlines cancel hundreds of flights in the context of staff shortages largely related to omicrons.
Sadia Reins arrived in New York City from Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday to stay with her 75-year-old mother. Reins said the two haven’t spent Christmas together in two years, and despite the risks of traveling during the outbreak, she can’t stand being away from her mother again this year.
Members of the winter swimming club “Pirrlliepausen” head into Lake Senersonberg, which has cold temperatures of four degrees (39 Farenheit) for their traditional Christmas swim, in Seariesberg, Germany, on Friday.
Bernd W’stneck / dpa via AP
hide captions
switch captions
Bernd W’stneck / dpa via AP
Members of the winter swimming club “Pirrlliepausen” head into Lake Senersonberg, which has cold temperatures of four degrees (39 Farenheit) for their traditional Christmas swim, in Seariesberg, Germany, on Friday.
Bernd W’stneck / dpa via AP
“We were about to cry,” she said, adding: “We talk on the phone all the time, but it’s not like looking at someone.”
In the UK, where the coronavirus variant is raging among the population, some houses of worship hope to continue.
At St. Paul’s Old Ford, an Anglican church in East London, the priests planned services on Christmas Eve and Christmas holidays. But to protect parishioners, the church dropped its Christmas play.
“You may have to cancel the service, but you can’t cancel Christmas,” said Father April Kchest, an assistant priest. “You can’t stop loving. Love still stands.”
Many churches in the US have canceled in-person service, including Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital and the historic Old South Church in Boston. Others plan an outdoor celebration or a mix of online and in-person worship.
In Rome, a Pope Francis doesn’t wear a mask celebrate Christmas Eve Mass There were previously an estimated 2,000 people at St Peter’s Basilica, where entry is limited and worshipers must wear masks.
While the number of faithful is more than 200 last year, the number is only a fraction of the 20,000 people that have seats in the basilica. Before the pandemic, the church of St. Peter’s is regularly packed for midnight Mass.
Women wearing masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus do Christmas decorations at a church in Bali, Indonesia, on Friday.
Firdia Lisnawati / AP
hide captions
switch captions
Firdia Lisnawati / AP
Women wearing masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus do Christmas decorations at a church in Bali, Indonesia, on Friday.
Firdia Lisnawati / AP
In Germany, churchgoers face a range of health restrictions and limitations on attendance. Some must show proof of vaccinations or testing.
Frankfurt’s cathedral, which can hold 1,200 people, offers just 137 social distancing spaces, all of which have been booked days in advance. Singing is only allowed through masks.
People in the Netherlands have managed to make the most of their holidays, despite living under one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe. All non-essential shops have closed, including bars and restaurants, and home visits are limited to two people per day, four by Christmas.
“We will be meeting with some small groups of families over the next few days,” said Marloes Jansen, who is waiting in line to buy traditional Dutch kerststol, a Christmas bread with fruit and nuts.
A glitch in a computer-based appointment booking system hampered the scores of people who schedule COVID-19 tests and undermined the government’s efforts to administer extra shots in a country that already lagging far behind neighboring countries.
In France, some visited loved ones in the hospital. In the Mediterranean city of Marseille, the intensive care unit at La Timone Hospital has received more and more COVID-19 patients in recent days.
Amelie Khayat has been visiting her husband, Ludo, 41, daily, who is recovering from a 24-day coma and mechanical ventilation.
They touched their heads as she sat on his bed, and now that he was steady enough to stand, he stood up to hug her goodbye, as a paramedic decorated the last things. same for the ICU Christmas tree.
People gather around illuminated Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve in Seoul, South Korea.
Ahn Young-joon / AP
hide captions
switch captions
Ahn Young-joon / AP
People gather around illuminated Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve in Seoul, South Korea.
Ahn Young-joon / AP
Parisians lined up at chocolate shops, farmers markets and testing centers. France has posted a record number of daily COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions are on the rise, but the government has stopped short of imposing curfews or shutting down during the holidays.
Fabienne Maksimovic, 55, said: “It affects our enthusiasm to celebrate Christmas. It makes us a bit sad. But at least we are certainly not contaminating or poisoning. We will both be testing in our family,” said Fabienne Maksimovic, 55. waited in line at a pharmacy in Paris to get tested.
In Antwerp, Belgium, a Christmas tree was hung upside down from a window during a protest against the closure of cultural sites.
In Bethlehem, the scene is much more festive than it was a year ago, when musicians marched through the deserted streets. This year, hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square as bagpipes and drum units raced past.
Before the pandemic, Bethlehem was home to thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world. The lack of visitors has particularly affected the city’s hotels, restaurants and gift shops.
