"Not having a family reunion is the safest option," said the World Health Organization in an advisory released Monday.

Instead, the institution recommends a joint celebration by videoconference to avoid contamination.

A Christmas in a small committee, without large family reunion, is undoubtedly "the best option" in these times of pandemic for the majority of countries, estimated Monday the World Health Organization (WHO).

"It's incredibly difficult because, especially during the holiday season, we really want to be with our family. But in some cases not having a family reunion is the safest option," insisted Maria Van Kerkhove. , in charge of the management of the coronavirus pandemic at the WHO.

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The American scientist probably had not only Christmas in mind but also Thanksgiving, the family holiday par excellence in the United States, which will be celebrated on Thursday.

Specialists fear a new peak in infection in the country already most affected by Covid-19, with almost 260,000 dead.

A good time for infections

For her, a joint celebration by videoconference could be the solution.

“Even if you can't celebrate together this year, you can find ways to celebrate when this is all over,” she said.

"We do that in my family and we will have a hell of a party when it's over," said Maria Van Kerkhove.

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His colleague Michael Ryan, in charge of emergency situations at the UN agency, stressed for his part that the number of infections increased in Canada after Thanksgiving, celebrated on November 12.

To the authorities to arbitrate

"The question is: are you in enough control of the disease and can you give people a little more freedom for the Christmas season, which can generate confidence and give joy, which people really need, without allow the virus to break loose? ”he said.

For Michael Ryan, it is up to the authorities to find the right balance between "the risks to health, and the social and economic risks" linked to the restrictions during the holiday season, able to "generate a lot of frustration, le-bol and a lot of criticism ".