Stay home and celebrate Diwali virtually during COVID-19, health officials urge
Posted November 13, 2020 3:47 pm.
Last Updated November 14, 2020 2:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With a surge in COVID-19 cases in the GTA, health officials from around the country are urging people to stay home and celebrate Diwali with members of your household only.
“I know it’s a very special time for many South Asian families and really for our whole community in the Region of Peel. Unfortunately, like every other holiday that’s happened in 2020, it’s just going to have to look a little different,” says Dr. Lawrence Loh, the Chief Medical Officer of Health in Peel.
Peel Region moves into new restrictions this weekend including bans on social gatherings celebrating holidays and life events as well as wedding receptions.
Health officials in the region are recommending that religious services be held virtually and if that’s not possible, indoor capacity cannot not exceed 50 people.
Peel Region has reported a positivity rate of over 10 per cent in the region. Cases have recently been spiking with over 400 daily cases reported in the last three days.
There are currently 18,738 reported cases in the region with 80.4 per cent considered resolved.
That’s the message from the City of Toronto too, which sees added restrictions this weekend, including the continued closure of indoor dining and indoor group fitness classes.
Health officials from both regions are urging people to stay home or only leave their home for essential reasons and not to socialize outside your household.
Toronto and Peel are ramping up their messaging in Hindi, Punjabi and other South Asian languages to make sure the strong recommendations reach the widest possible audience.
“We have significant community transmission that’s occurring throughout the Region of Peel, so to the extent that people can limit their celebrations this year to the people they live with and their immediate household and try to meet virtually otherwise,” said Dr. Loh.
He adds that even though some mandirs, gurdwaras and temples around the GTA are holding small, socially distanced prayers and pujas under the province’s restrictions allowing up to 30% capacity at places of worship, he would advise staying home and attending a virtual livestream instead.
“It’s really important not to hold or attend any large gatherings, because the more people you add to a gathering, means that there’s an increased risk that somebody might be brewing a COVID-19 infection and may expose others.”
Dr. Loh warns there’s higher risk of transmission from workplaces where remote work isn’t an option, or among essential workers.
The strong recommendations come as the region has seen outbreaks from the mixing of households in larger gatherings like weddings and funerals, as well as gatherings happening in people’s homes.
Moreover, the surge in numbers following Halloween and Thanksgiving weekend has added concern that Diwali could potentially be another super-spreader event.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a video statement posted to social media that he understands celebrations will look different this year and asked residents to celebrate online with friends and family.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh urged those celebrating Diwali and the Sikh celebration of Bandi Chhor Divas to do so while respecting health guidelines.
He says doing so will help allow future celebrations to take place in-person.
Celebrating with lights at home
Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas weekend normally marks one of the largest festivals of the year for much of the GTA’s South Asian population. The Indian festival of lights marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and a fresh, bright start to the new year for some.
“It’s the one day of the year where we all get together normally, to celebrate together,” says Brampton resident Vinay Talwar. “We have lunch at one house, dinner at somebody else’s house. We exchange gifts. It’s about family time.”
He urges people to join him in avoiding all those gatherings this year. “Don’t think about yourself before anyone else. That next person who has COVID could be you.”
“This year we’re staying home,” says Talwar. He has an 18-month-old daughter and wants to show her some of the celebrations, so they’re opting for a small fireworks display in their yard and a Zoom celebration with family near and far.
Brampton and Mississauga residents are not required to get a firework license for use on their private property for Diwali on November 14. Toronto residents must still obtain a license before using any on their property.
Fireworks are prohibited on sidewalks, streets, within city parks, school yards or any other public area. Only short-range fireworks (that travel less than 3 metres), are permitted, and they’re sold to people 18 years of age or older.
The city of Brampton also advises using the following safety precautions:
- Keep water handy to put out fireworks and used sparklers
- Do not light a firework or hold a lit firework in your hand
- Allow all fireworks to fully cool before disposal
- Wait at least 30 minutes before approaching a firework that did not discharge
There will be no major commercial fireworks displays anywhere else in the region, whether at temples or city-run facilities.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Etobicoke has cancelled their annual light show and firework display, and instead urge those celebrating to join the livestream of the prayer held worldwide.
The annual Diwali Razzmatazz festival has also moved online to Facebook and encourages everyone to join the livestream each night after 6 p.m.
Mississauga’s clock tower will also be lit up for Diwali for the first time this year on November 14.
Shop local
Small business owners and bloggers are helping people find creative ways of scaling down celebrations too. Without the traditional grand Diwali markets, many are urging shopping local and providing safe deliveries for those in need.
Harmeet Bhatti, co-founder of online décor retailer Party Rickshaw, wanted to look for light during dark times in her city. She created custom diyas (or lamps) with scents of the temple and some native to South Asia, as well as playing cards for those celebrating with loved ones at home.
“We realize because people can’t be together they really want to spread the joy even more,” says Bhatti. She adds that a portion of proceeds from sales go to support women and girls of colour.
Others are advising coming up with creative activities with the kids. Instagram account @virtualdiwali has brought together popular bloggers for 13 days of activities at home – featuring recipes, dances, and crafts.
And of course, there’s an even more urgent need for support to local charities during COVID-19 – local food banks urging donations for those most vulnerable and isolated during this holiday season.
Peel Region has put together a list of resources that can provide food to those in need.
Brampton’s Seva Food Bank kicks off their annual Gurpurab food drive this weekend. They encourage people to have groceries delivered directly to the facility or drop off at one of 3 locations, and will be sharing one item they’re in dire need of each day on social media.
“Diwali has a very close place in my heart,” says Dr. Loh, saying he has fond memories of celebrating with the community growing up in Kuala Lumpur himself. “Hopefully we’ll be able to bring a little light into our lives this weekend, just in a different way.”
With files from the Canadian Press
