Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his Christmas greetings in a tweet on Saturday, December 25, reminding the country of Jesus Christ’s preachings of ‘service, kindness and humility’.

He wrote, “Christmas greetings to everyone! We recall the life and noble teachings of Jesus Christ, which placed topmost emphasis on service, kindness, and humility. May everyone be healthy and prosperous. May there be harmony all around.”

The world finds itself reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic this festive season, similar to the previous year. While studies have shown the strain induces milder symptoms of the infection, the rising number of cases in a wave can still overwhelm hospitals and the healthcare system.

Also Read | Christmas and COVID: World prepares to celebrate but with caution

In India, the Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to take stock of the situation. Several states reimposed restrictions on gatherings and events ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

Maharashtra announced on Friday that no more than five persons in public places would be allowed between 9 pm and 6 am. Only 100 people are allowed in indoor weddings and not more than 250 in outdoor weddings. Gyms, spas, hotels, theatres and cinema halls will operate at 50 per cent capacity.

Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh imposed night curfews from 11pm to 5 am, even though the latter hasn’t reported a single Omicron case so far. 

Haryana and Delhi have also imposed restrictions, but places of worship have been allowed to remain open in Delhi.

In a worrying development, an analysis of 183 omicron cases in India released by the Union Health Secretary Rajsh Bhushan has revealed that nine among 10 persons infected by the variant of coronavirus are fully vaccinated.

Sharing the result of the findings, the Centre said that “vaccine alone is not sufficient to contain the pandemic” and urged people to wear masks. The Centre also said surveillance is important to break the chain of transmission. 

Also Read | Vaccine alone not sufficient against omicron: Indian govt analysis

Dr VK Paul, the head of India’s COVID-19 task force, said that the omicron has a higher risk of transmission within the households as compared to the Delta variant.

“It is clear that it is spreading in households because Omicron is highly transmissible compared to Delta. That one person who brings in the infection from outside, because he didn’t wear a mask outdoors, will infect others in the house. This risk is higher in Omicron. We should keep this in mind,” Paul said.

“I want to emphasise the need for care. There are upcoming festivals and New Year and the new variant has emerged during this period. Therefore, responsible behaviour such as wearing a mask, hand hygiene and no crowding is the way forward, he added.