Covid 19 coronavirus dampens Christmas joy in Bethlehem and worldwide
24 Dec, 2020 11:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Palestinian scout bands parade through Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognised by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, on Christmas Eve in the West Bank. Photo / AP
Palestinian scout bands parade through Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognised by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, on Christmas Eve in the West Bank. Photo / AP
AP
Bethlehem has ushered in Christmas Eve with a stream of joyous marching bands and the triumphant arrival of the top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, but few people were there to greet them as the coronavirus pandemic and a strict lockdown dampened celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
24th December, 2020 11:37:51
DOVER: Thousands of truckers endured Christmas Eve stranded near a major British port, ensnared in the chaos unleashed by a new coronavirus strain, as Western countries speeded up mass vaccinations, reports AFP.
Some of the thousands of lorry drivers stuck near the British port of Dover said they feared there was little chance of making it across the Channel in time for the holidays.
“Home for Christmas? Forget it,” said Laurent Beghin, a French driver who delivered his cargo of paint on Sunday but was still stranded in England.
Britain on Thursday said rail and sea links with France will remain open over Christmas to clear the backlog.