In India as in the rest of the world, Christians are preparing to celebrate Christmas. In the second most populous country in the world, which has 24 million Christians, the Covid-19 epidemic appears to be experiencing a lull after a terrible second wave linked to the Delta variant. The faithful are therefore preparing to celebrate Christmas with fewer restrictions than last year and to enjoy it.
In the streets in Bangalore, in bars, restaurants and weddings, the discipline is relaxed somewhat because the cases are at their lowest. In this atmosphere of return to normal, the faithful have only one desire: to enjoy the celebrations again with their loved ones. “On the 24th, at midnight, we will go to pray at mass and the next day is the feast”, details this faithful Christian met near the Basilica of Saint Mary, in the district of Shivajinagar. “I have planned to invite a lot of friends over for a delicious meal at home. There will be at least 100 to come to our house!”
The reverend of this Protestant parish also wants to look to the future. “We couldn’t celebrate Mary’s nativity in September because of the confinement. People were crowding around the church, crying and asking why they couldn’t come back.”, he recalls. The prospect of Christmas is brighter. “Now the government allows us to assemble 500 people. We will have three masses: one for those who speak Tamil, one for those who speak Kannada and one for the English speakers.”
However, behind this optimism reigns a certain anxiety. India officially still has very few cases of the Omicron variant, but the authorities want to avoid the fiasco of May 2021 and the Delta variant at all costs. During this period, the government underestimated the second wave. So no one can yet rule out a holiday curfew.
Despite everything, this respite from the epidemic is welcome for the country’s economic activity. You only have to go to the many Christmas markets that flourish in Bangalore to realize this. “I started by painting the walls at home because I couldn’t stand the news about the pandemic any longer. Today, I’m selling my works at a Christmas market!”, rejoices thus Sushmita, 34, in the chic market organized in the Taj Mahal Hotel in town. “There is no problem with Covid-19 here, she assures. We follow all the rules of health precautions. “
The manager of this trade fair rubs his hands in front of the returning visitors. “I am a Hindu but in India we celebrate all religious celebrations. In October, I organized a market and barely 600 people came. Today alone, there were 3,000! People are confident. . If the cases increase, we will take a third dose. “
The experts, them, remain on their guard. In India, only 40% of the population received two doses of the vaccine. Many are hoping that collective immunity will protect Indians from a return of the pandemic. But the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned: the Omicron variant spreads quickly, including in countries with high levels of immunity.