Risk of Coronavirus Spread Increases Due to Traditional Celebration of Vardavar, Ministry of Health

Tomorrow, the much-loved summer holiday, Vardavar, will be celebrated. According to tradition, Vardavar is marked by large public festivities where people gathered in various public places and courtyards splash water on each other, strangers, and passersby.

The Ministry of Health is urging the public to refrain from celebrating Vardavar in the traditional manner. “It must be understood that celebrating Vardavar in this way increases the risk of spreading the coronavirus, as it will be difficult to adhere to anti-epidemic measures, particularly wearing masks (wet or damp masks can facilitate the long-term preservation of the pathogen), maintaining hand hygiene, and ensuring social distancing. This ultimately creates favorable conditions for a significant increase in the number of disease cases,” the ministry notes.

“Therefore, taking into account the current epidemic situation in the country, as well as the risk of spreading the coronavirus, the Ministry of Health calls on citizens to refrain from celebrating Vardavar in the traditional manner, to avoid crowded places, and to abstain from participating in events that imply human gatherings,” the ministry emphasizes.