(CMC)\u2014 The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is appealing to Caribbean and other nationals to avoid travel and large gathering during the holidays.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, PAHO said that holiday season gatherings and travel involve risks and based on this the public is being urged to follow the guidance of national and local health authorities to make the season as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring a pandemic, there is no such thing as a risk-free holiday season. Every gathering, every shopping trip, and every travel plan increases the chances of spreading the virus,\u201d said PAHO\u2019s Assistant Director Jarbas Barbosa during a press briefing here.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s critical that everyone continue to practice the public health measures that we know are effective in controlling the spread of the virus,\u201d such as wearing a mask in public, including in the presence of persons from other households, and keeping a safe distance from others, Barbosa added.<\/p>\n
He urged the public to also avoid the \u201c3Cs\u201d \u2013 spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact with others, and wash their hands often.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese measures are especially important as we enter the holiday season\u201d when communities congregate to mark religious celebrations and generations of families come together to give thanks,\u201d Barbosa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPAHO and WHO (World Health Organization) recommend that countries experiencing widespread transmission of the virus should seriously consider postponing or reducing mass gatherings,\u201d he added. \u201cThis is not the time to be hosting any large gatherings.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach country, city and community should base decisions about hosting public events on the latest available data \u2013 especially data that show where the virus is spreading and whether health systems have enough capacity to keep up with cases,\u201d Barbosa continued.<\/p>\n
He warned that even smaller indoor gatherings can be especially risky, \u201cbecause they bring together groups of people, young and old, from different households, who may not all be adhering to the same infection prevention measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey should be held outside when possible, and participants should wear masks and maintain social distance,\u201d Barbosa said. \u201cIf held indoors, limiting group size and choosing well-ventilated areas can help reduce exposure.\u201d<\/p>\n
With respect to travel, the PAHO assistant director said people should be cautious, stating that the safest option is to stay home.<\/p>\n
\u201cPAHO does not recommend relying on laboratory tests for travelers. Yet, we\u2019ve seen countries across our region and throughout the world place testing at the heart of their travel policies. This cannot guarantee safe travel or eliminate the risks related to infected travelers, and resources can be used in other ways yielding a greater public health impact,\u201d Barbosa said.<\/p>\n
In reviewing the situation in the Americas, including the Caribbean, Barbosa said there have been more than 25 million cases and over 700,000 deaths, adding that, in the last week alone, there were 1.5 million cases, marking the highest weekly numbers since the start of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile a rapid surge of infections in the United States has been a major driver, cases are continuing to accelerate in some countries of North, Central and South America as part of a mosaic of different epidemiological patterns we\u2019re seeing,\u201d Barbosa said.<\/p>\n
He noted news about the efficacy of vaccines reported by various pharmaceutical companies, stating that \u201cmany people are understandably encouraged by recent developments in the search for an effective COVID-19 vaccine, but we must continue to be patient and cautious because it will be months before a vaccine is widely available.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe individual decisions we make this holiday season won\u2019t just affect the people closest to us, they will also impact our communities,\u201d Barbosa warned.<\/p>\n
He said throughout the pandemic, countries have changed how people work, go to school and participate in civic life, \u201cso that we can keep our friends and families as safe and healthy as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe holidays should be no different,\u201d Barbosa said. \u201cPeople are planning virtual dinners, broadcasting virtual celebrations and opting for smaller ceremonies, even if it means making personal sacrifices.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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