Christmas Bubbles and Social Distancing: What Christmas Looks Like in Europe

Priyadharshini Ravi and Emma Walfridsson are both Medicine students at RSU. Priyadharshini is in her 5th year and will be going back to Leeds in the UK. This year, she was the Liaison Officer on the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) International Student Association (ISA) board. Emma is the Assistant to the Head of Sports and Integration and she will be going back to Falköping in Sweden in the beautiful countryside in between the two lakes Vänern and Vättern.

What do you know about the restrictions that have been put in place there over Christmas

Priyadharshini: The restrictions in the UK are divided into different tiers, and each region has been designated a tier. The region where I live is in “tier 3” which means that most retail stores are open but that restaurants are only allowed to offer takeaway service. Also, I am not allowed to meet anyone who I do not live with. However, on Christmas Day the government has allowed people to form a “Christmas bubble” composed of people from no more than three households.

Emma: On 21 December, the Swedish government made a very fast decision about prohibiting arrivals from the UK and Denmark due to their high case numbers. But in general, there are very few restrictions, compared to larger cities and other countries. It has been announced that you are only allowed to meet up to 8 people at a time from different households. People take this as more of a recommendation, however, and there is no obligation to wear a face mask anywhere. Restaurants, shopping centers and gyms are still open, for example, but there are stricter measures regarding cleaning and hand sanitizer is widely available in most facilities. 

The one restriction that people in Sweden really respect is to keep a 2m distance - no hugging, only meeting outdoors, and respecting a 2m distance in public places.

Sadly, many health care workers have had their vacations canceled over the holiday season and will be forced to work due to the heavy workload at hospitals brought on by the “second wave”.

How do you feel about the restrictions in your countries?

Priyadharshini: In my opinion, allowing a “Christmas bubble” seems very dangerous especially considering the prevalence of the new strain of coronavirus that is spreading rapidly in the south of England. However, I do realise that after this challenging and mentally taxing year, people would really like to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

Emma: I personally think the restrictions are very reasonable - if you feel unsafe to go out, you can be confident that people will keep a 2m distance from you, but it is also your own responsibility to wear a facemask if you need it, and to wash your hands frequently when you get back home. 

Keeping the gyms open is not only good for people's physical health, but also helps people maintain a strong immune system, improves their mental health as well as enables them to get at least a tiny bit of social interaction in these dark and lonely times.

What do your friends and family think about them?

Priyadharshini: I think my family and friends feel the same as I do. Christmas is a special time for lots of people, so the opportunity to spend the day with relatives and friends will always help to boost morale. However, they are wary since it could result in a spike in cases. 

Emma: They respect keeping the 2m distance. They also believe that the restrictions are good and reasonable. 

Will you be able to meet anyone - friends, family?

Priyadharshini: I am already back home with my family, but I won’t be able to meet any friends in the UK since we do not live close and we are in different social bubbles. However, I keep in touch with my friends in the UK and Riga through Whatsapp, Zoom, etc. The availability of so many different social media platforms has made staying in touch very easy!

Emma: Yes, I'll meet anyone who wants to and feels safe to meet. I have already met up with some friends at a distance outdoors, but also more closely together with some of them. I have also been to the gym (keeping my distance) and have visited my family.

Will you celebrate the holidays?

Priyadharshini: Yes, we will be celebrating Christmas and New Years! 

Emma: Yes. Our families will celebrate Christmas as usual, except for some of the oldest members of our family.

How? What are some traditions that you have?

Priyadharshini: We are planning to have a small dinner, maybe watch some movies and play some card games!

Emma: Usually, Christmas on 24 December starts with a ”porridge breakfast” at 7:30 in the morning with many family members! We will however not be keeping this tradition this year, unfortunately. After that, we usually drive to my boyfriend's family for Christmas lunch. We both have big families, and in every home the celebrations take place at full speed! Then we drive to my parents who each live in different places. We always play “Christmas gift roulette” at my father's place in the evening, together with my brother and his girlfriend. We usually play quite a lot of games and get really into them - real arguments for the best gifts even break out sometimes! 

Do you see any differences between the restrictions in your countries in comparison to Riga?

Priyadharshini: I believe the restrictions in the UK are very similar to the ones in Riga so I haven’t found any big differences when I have visited back home. 

Emma: Very different. The society and country, companies, stores, and everything else has still been open. There are no strict rules about wearing face masks. I believe that restricting stores' opening hours would only concentrate the amount of people visiting stores at the same time. 

People in larger cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg have been affected much more. Many have lost their jobs during the first wave and the hospitals are overcrowded.

But the regulations have focused more on protecting the elderly, and those who feel unsafe and are vulnerable.

Do you have a New Year's wish?

Priyadharshini: My New Year’s wish would be to have practical classes again with the opportunity to see patients.

It has been very difficult to study Medicine purely over Zoom these past few months since I feel I haven’t had the opportunity to practise key clinical skills. I’m hoping that with the introduction of the COVID vaccine all over Europe in the new year the current situation will improve and I will be able to join in-person classes again! 

Emma: I hope that 2021 will open up new doors and new opportunities that will bring good fortune for the future of the whole world.