Celebrating Christmas and New Year together is important – so plan ahead to keep everyone safe

This year, we once again celebrate Christmas holidays in exceptional conditions because of the coronavirus pandemic. This is why you should plan ahead and make sure that the festivities at Christmas and New Year are as safe as possible for everyone.

Spending time with family and friends is particularly important for many people at Christmas, and you should not be alone. If you have friends and family members who are older or belong to other at-risk groups, you should respect their wishes concerning Christmas celebrations. 

“Even if COVID-19 is spreading at a fast pace this Christmas, too, we are now protected by vaccines, and luckily most people have already received their two doses. If you have not got your vaccinations yet, this would be a good time to do it – you could think of it as a Christmas present for yourself and others”, says Director Mika Salminen from the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). 

If you organise parties this December, you should remember the same principles that we have been following throughout the pandemic. Good hand and coughing hygiene, getting tested if necessary and staying at home if you have symptoms is vital. 

There is no reason why you could not use home tests, but you should remember that a positive result should always be verified by a PCR test carried out in the health care services. 

When you are out and about in crowded places or using public transport this Christmas season, you should wear a mask and remember social distancing.

Vaccinations make for safer festivities 

In the run-up to Christmas, the Omicron variant is a cause for particular concern. It is known to spread faster and more easily than the Delta variant, which is currently the predominant virus strand. 

The same means can be used to prevent the spread of Omicron as the other variants: get the vaccine doses recommended for you, get tested if necessary, stay at home when unwell, remember hand and coughing hygiene and social distancing, wear a face mask and keep the Koronavilkku app on. 

Keep an eye out for and follow regional recommendations

When planning parties this Christmas and New Year, you should prepare for the possibility of rapid changes in the regional epidemic situation. For example, regulations that restrict the participant numbers at private events may be in force in regions that are in the community transmission phase. 

“By following the instructions, we can all influence the spread of the disease and protect our own and other people’s health”, Salminen reminds us.

When planning parties this December, remember these:

• Make sure that you are protected by vaccinations.
• Talk to your family and friends ahead of time about how they would like to celebrate Christmas and New Year. You should decide together how you can organise festivities as safe as possible for everyone.
• If you develop symptoms, do not go to or organise parties. You should stay at home and get tested if necessary. You can also do a home test to make sure that you will not pass an asymptomatic coronavirus infection on to others. 
• Even when you are busy getting ready for Christmas, do not forget about strict hand and coughing hygiene. You should also make washing hands and using hand sanitiser easy for your guests. 
• Wear a face mask especially in crowded indoor areas, for example when shopping for presents, attending Christmas concerts and using public transport to get to a party, regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or not.
• If possible, avoid crowds altogether and do your shopping at less busy times or online.
• If you are heading abroad during the festive season, you should note that some countries may restrict the entry of travellers. Before you travel, check the up-to-date entry and quarantine regulations with the authorities of your destination country. Also make sure that you file a travel notification and check your insurance cover for illness.
• Ensure that the Koronavilkku app has been installed on your and your family members’ phones.

Further information:

Transmission and protection – coronavirus
(THL)

Vaccines and coronavirus
(THL)

Coronavirus tests
(THL)

Travel and the coronavirus pandemic
(THL)

Mika Salminen
Director
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
[email protected]