An explosion in cases driven by the rise of the Omicron variant has meant a Christmas season tainted by the pandemic for a second year running, with longed-for family reunions overshadowed by the prospect of yet more Covid-19 restrictions.
About 2,000 members of the public and 200 religious figures attended the Christmas Eve mass, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing. But Israel, which controls all entrances to the occupied West Bank where Bethelem is located, has also barred its borders to foreigners in an effort to rein in infections from the Omicron strain of the coronavirus."There is a selfish part where it's like 'Oh I get to see this place so empty' but on the other hand you feel for the shops, all the money they are losing, it's really quite tragic.
Another survivor, Marites Sotis, said she would usually serve up meat, spring rolls and salad for Christmas but that her family was struggling after the storm felled most of their coconut trees. In Washington, US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill visited a children's hospital for the traditional Christmas book-reading by the first lady.
The Netherlands is back in lockdown while Spain and Italy have made wearing masks compulsory outdoors.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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