Lindeners finding creative ways to celebrate Easter

By Utamu Belle

The Easter celebration in Guyana is marked mainly by interactive outdoor and social activities – kite flying, church services, picnics, barbeques and outings with family and friends. However, around this time last year, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many to rethink and re-examine new ways in which they choose to celebrate the observances, due to social distancing and other guidelines which have been put in place to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

As such, the Easter observance around this time last year saw many celebrating in their own backyards, as large gatherings were prohibited. Popular kite flying and social places were either empty or taken up by just a few people.
This year, Lindeners are finding more creative ways to celebrate the Easter holidays, all while maintaining social distancing. For many, it’s a difficult task but one that is necessary to ensure that all remain safe.
Some Lindeners have also agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic has put a dark cloud over celebrations and observances such as these, but have noted that they will make the best of the celebrations in whatever way they can.
For Lindener Denisia Chapman, this year’s Easter observance will see her spending time with close family in their own backyard.

“I plan on making two ‘Caddy Ole Punch’ and me aunty get a big back yard. So I plan on getting a cookout – bush cook in the backyard with family. Just drink and have barbeque and that is it,” Chapman recently told the Sunday Times.
She also admitted that things have changed and that she has been affected socially by these changes.
“Celebrating Easter in this COVID time is not as fun like before, because you can’t go out with family and friends. You can’t go nowhere and there’s no fun because the area where I live got plenty barb wires and I can’t fly no kite. So that’s no fun, it’s very boring,” Chapman related.
Nevertheless, the Block 22, Wismar resident said she would be attending church as is customary and will try her best to adapt, in light of the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Wisroc resident Lester Glen said given the current atmosphere, he is uncertain about how he’ll be spending the Easter holidays this year. Around this time of the year, social activities are usually the buzz of the town but Glen admitted too that there is a spell of uncertainty in the air at this time.
“I don’t even know what are the plans for the town this Easter. But as for me I will go with the flow… I know to adjust and adapt so for me celebrating Easter in these COVID times is not so bad. I go with the flow,” Glen told this publication.
While Lindeners and others across Guyana are thinking of ways in which to observe the holidays, the National COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat announced on Thursday that as a result of health security concerns, it was necessary to implement some restrictions to the traditional celebrations. It noted that these guidelines are intended to allow for a limited participation in Easter activities while maintaining the sanctity of the religious holidays.
As such, churches are allowed to operate at 40 per cent capacity and persons are advised to observe Easter activities within their homes. The Task Force noted too, that the traditional public restrictions in observance of Good Friday must be adhered to, while shows, parties, wet fetes and limes are prohibited. It added that the Joint Services will also be working across the country to ensure these guidelines are adhered to.