Covid-19: WHO recommends the mask during the holidays in the face of the "high risk" of rebound in early 2021

The WHO on Wednesday recommended the wearing of the mask during Christmas family reunions and the end of the year celebrations in Europe.

The organization warns of a "high risk" of the epidemic rebounding again early next year. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends wearing masks during Christmas family reunions and holiday celebrations in Europe, she said on Wednesday, warning of a "high risk" again rebound of the epidemic in early 2021. Given the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe, "there is a high risk of a new resurgence in the first weeks and the first months of 2021", indicated the European branch of the WHO in a press release, where she recommends "wearing a mask and practicing social distancing" during the end of the year celebrations.

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"It may seem awkward to wear a mask and practice physical distancing in the presence of friends and family, but it goes a long way in ensuring that everyone stays safe and healthy," the organization said.

Gatherings must take place outdoors 

Whenever possible, gatherings should take place outdoors.

If they take place indoors, it is important to limit the number of guests and to ventilate well to limit the risks, she advises.

The WHO's Europe zone, which includes 53 countries including Russia, has recorded more than 22 million cases and nearly 500,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to the organization's surveillance table.

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In the past seven days, nearly 1.7 million new cases have been recorded, as well as more than 34,500 deaths.

As the Christmas holidays approach, new sets of restrictions come into force on Wednesday in several European countries to curb a level of Covid-19 contamination deemed worrying, with in particular the closure of non-essential businesses in Germany and of pubs and restaurants in the UK.