Editorial | A different way to mark the Lunar New Year
- The Covid-19 pandemic has put paid to the way Chinese normally celebrate the Spring Festival, but with new technology many traditions can still be followed
Covid-19 is making a resurgence in China and other countries where cooler temperatures and dry air are making it easier for the virus to spread. The biggest outbreak for months in Hebei and also in other places including Beijing and Liaoning have prompted new alerts and lockdowns, sparking fears of another wave. Matters are not being helped by the approaching Spring Festival, when much of the nation is on the move for obligatory family reunions and feasts. Authorities are understandably warning that this Lunar New Year has to be different; only by staying at home and celebrating quietly can another crisis be averted.
The thought of foregoing the annual ritual of a feast and celebration with parents, grandparents and other relatives on the eve of the new year is unheard of for Chinese. Paying respect to elders is important and childhood memories of special food and sweet treats resurface with a warm glow. The centuries-old traditions are also about bringing success and fortune; the red packets containing lucky money are just one among many. The occasion is so ingrained that regulations and travel restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19 are seemingly no bar; even though the first day of the Year of the Ox is on February 12, some people have already started returning to their hometowns and villages.
Border checkpoints between Hong Kong and Shenzhen are already jammed. But with the world’s worst pandemic in a century continuing to wreak havoc after a year and showing no sign of abating even as vaccines are being rolled out, tradition has to be set aside. Usually, more than 400 million people within China and millions more from elsewhere make the annual pilgrimage home in the weeks before the new year, filling planes, trains and buses to capacity and clogging roads. There is no bigger annual movement of humanity anywhere. That obviously has to change this time.
Large family gatherings risk spreading the coronavirus. That does not prevent celebrations of small groups. Instead of travel, gifts can be sent online and video reunions held. Even lucky money can be delivered digitally. Tradition will not be ignored, just carried out with respect for health and safety of the family, community and the nation in mind.