Pandemic takes the colour off Holi

There is no denying that the pandemic has changed the way we live, eat, travel, and
celebrate our cultural festivals.
For the Kiwi Indian community, Holi has always been associated with celebrating in
big groups with laughter, gaiety and feasting. But this year, due to the pandemic and
the Omicron surge, many events across the country have been cancelled.
One of the most significant Holi events organised by Auckland Indian Association Inc
(AIAI) has been cancelled for the first time in its history. Dhansukh Lal, President,
AIAI, says, “Due to the Covid Red Light allowing only gatherings of 100 people, AIAI
has to cancel the festival of Holi, which is an outdoor event we celebrate. We are
very disappointed that for the first time in the history of the AIAI, we have no option
but to cancel this important event in our calendar.”
 
Lal added: “We normally get more than 500 people to come to celebrate Holi, and it
will be hard to allow only 100 people and still be able to follow the government
guidelines such as keeping the two-metre distance, wearing of masks and scanning
everyone’s vaccination passes.”
 
Bharatiya Mandir will also not organise any Holi event this year. Secretary
Yugal Parashar, said, "Unfortunately, due to the situation created by the daily
number of infected Covid19 cases, Bharatiya Mandir Management Committee has
decided not to hold the annual Holi festival and the lighting of bonfire this year. It is
disappointing for sure, but in almost two years since this pandemic first struck, many
things have changed in everyone’s life, and we all are getting accustomed to a new
kind of lifestyle. The safety and wellbeing of everyone are paramount for us, and
celebrations can be held once the situation is conducive to it.”
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known
as the Hare Krishna Movement, have also cancelled their Holi plans. “Unfortunately,
this year's Holi will not go ahead due to pandemic,” Confirmed ISKCON NZ’s
spokesperson Krishnacandra Das
Auckland’s Indian dance school, Aaja Nachle, has decided not to go ahead with any
Holi event. Senior Manager Jaspal Singh said, "Unfortunately, we had to cancel
the Holi event due to Omicron. Even though we had a plan to celebrate Holi with
limited capacity, it wasn't supported by Auckland Council, so we had to cancel the
event. This cancellation guts us as well as the community members as we were
preparing for this since January and had everything in place."

Ashburton Indian Multicultural Charitable Trust, which was planning to organise the
Ashburton Holi 2022 event, has also decided to cancel it. “We have been organising
Holi festival for many years, but it has been the second year in a row that we could
not celebrate it. Even though it is very disappointing, we understand that people's
health and safety is most important. We respect the government's decision. We hope
this year will be the last year of covid and we can celebrate our festivals again,” said
Silky Sharma, the Trust’s Events Coordinator.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Govt guidelines for having events at Red Light

• As per the red light guidelines, gatherings are limited to 100 people if everyone has a My Vaccine Pass and Gatherings are limited to 25 people if My Vaccine Passes are not being used. If the organiser of a gathering chooses to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, only people with a My Vaccine Pass are allowed to be there. This includes the people working at the gathering.
• It is the responsibility of the venue to ensure it complies with capacity limits. Smaller venues will be limited to fewer than 100 people. These limits include children under the age of 12 years and three months who cannot get a My Vaccine Pass.
• When food and drink is being served, you must be seated and separated.
• Face masks should be worn at an event.
• Events staff and volunteers must wear a face covering.