Millions of people across the Western Pacific Region are marking major religious and cultural events in the first part of 2021, including Lunar New Year, Tet, spring festivals, Easter, Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, Wesak or Buddha Day and Songkran.
Traditionally a time of travel to family and faith gatherings, some religious and other festivals have been scaled down, postponed or cancelled to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Countries and areas in the Region continue to record around 10 000 new COVID-19 cases of a day.
Even in places where vaccines have begun to be rolled out, experts stress that people need to continue the six protective behaviours to slow transmission of the virus. These are to clean hands regularly, prevent droplets from spreading (wearing masks, covering coughs and sneezes), keep at least one metre apart, limit time in enclosed or crowded spaces, clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, and respond appropriately if experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms.
Given the importance of religious and other events, WHO has published a range of guidance documents and tools and is working with authorities and faith-based organizations in countries across the Region to help keep people safe and manage risks.
Protecting vulnerable people during celebrations
Part of WHO’s support includes producing short videos explaining the science behind advice for people trying to protect themselves and others during special events.
In a practical five-minute video on safe celebrations as part of the “Science in 5” series, WHO Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains: “During the holiday season, we tend to gather in larger groups, go shopping, go into crowded places and spend time together with friends and extended family. That increases the risks of this virus spreading.”
Maintaining the six protective behaviours is particularly important to protect family and friends who may be more vulnerable to severe COVID-19, including older people and those with underlying conditions, people being treated for diseases such as cancer and obese people, she says. This might mean only celebrating with household members who already live together and minimizing gatherings that mix households. Outdoor gatherings are safer. People need to remember physical distancing, handwashing and mask wearing. And anyone with symptoms such as a cough or fever should stay home.
Partnering with faith leaders
WHO recognizes that religious and spiritual leaders are a key source of support, comfort and advice in their communities. They can play a life-saving role in encouraging healthy practices and offering guidance in times of uncertainty.
To support them, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has published tip sheets for faith leaders on how to implement the six protective behaviours. Other guidance focuses on safety during religious events that involve mass gatherings.
To help Muslims safely celebrate Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, WHO has issued interim guidance, and the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has published a series of posters and social media tiles with the theme “Ramadan at home”.
Adapting to the new normal
WHO also works with partners to adapt festivals. For example, in Malaysia WHO partnered with the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism to adapt Wesak Day, which commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing. In the past, people met at temples at dawn to meditate and pray, stood in line to wash a statue of Buddha and joined a night parade of decorated floats flanked by people carrying flowers and candles.
Together, WHO and the Council adapted WHO’s Practical considerations and recommendations for religious leaders and faith-based communities in the context of COVID-19, creating a set of six simple, positive tips, beautifully illustrated to depict small family groups worshipping and safe temple-based activities.
Dr Lo Ying-Ru, WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, said, “Seeing how Wesak Day was celebrated in a different but still special way gives me hope that we can adjust to a safe new normal. I believe that excellent communication and openness to innovation were key to making Wesak Day as colourful and meaningful as ever.” Read more here.
Safer travel
No travel is risk-free, so WHO has published a range of advice and guidance on travel for passengers and national authorities.
If someone must travel, the six protective behaviours can help reduce risks: physical distancing in the mode of transport, opening windows if possible, wearing a mask at all times, using disinfectant or washing hands often with soap and water. Anyone who is unwell should postpone the trip, says Dr Swaminathan.
The six protective behaviours should also be carried out when staying in hotels or other accommodations. WHO has advice for hotel staff too.
If travel involves meeting people who are more vulnerable, it is best to quarantine for 14 days before meeting them, says Dr Swaminathan.
International travel adds a layer of risk. WHO is working with national authorities to find local solutions to reduce risks. For example, in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, WHO is working with the Department of Communicable Disease Control, Department of Civil Aviation, Department of Immigration, airport operator and other partners to protect international travellers and frontline workers, and prevent transmission of the coronavirus into the community.
WHO has recently published interim guidance, "Considerations for implementing a risk-based approach to international travel in the context of COVID-19", to provide countries with a risk-based approach to the decision-making process for calibrating travel-related risk mitigation measures in the context of international travel, aiming at reducing travel associated exportation, importation and onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 while avoiding unnecessary interference with international traffic.
In addition, the WHO Regional Office has produced guides for opening of borders for international travel with the goal of keeping countries prepared for possible importations and surges in the number of cases, getting systems in place to mitigate potential outbreaks, and promoting sharing of information for joint decision making (Considerations to relax border restrictions in the Western Pacific Region).
Vaccines will be important in helping to control COVID-19, but people need to continue the six protective behaviours when travelling, worshiping, celebrating or going about daily life. Individual and community behaviours are still the most powerful weapon against the pandemic in the Asia-Pacific region.