Masks at Christmas to avoid new Covid wave, says WHO

The European branch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for masks to be worn during Christmas and New Year gatherings and social distancing measures to be respected. The organisation has warned that there is a “high risk” of a new wave of Covid-19 cases in Europe at the beginning of 2021.

The announcement, made in a press release published today (December 16), comes less than a week before festive celebrations are set to begin around Europe.

Countries around the continent have set different rules regarding festive celebrations.

In France, the government is advising no more than six adults come together to celebrate Christmas.

Lockdown was ended across the country on December 15 and was replaced with a 20:00 to 06:00 curfew. There will be an exception to this on December 24 only.

A recent survey carried out by French insurance company MAAF found that 42% of respondents aged 18 to 24 years old said now that lockdown is over they intend to “let loose” with a small group of friends, while 20% said they intend to have a big party “without limits”.

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