GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Elias al-Jalda and his family will be celebrating Christmas at home in Gaza City this year, after the Hamas-led government, which controls the Gaza Strip, announced a lockdown Dec. 10 to stem the surge of coronavirus cases that are threatening the enclave’s already fragile health-care system.

Jalda, 54, his wife Reem, 43, and their three sons celebrate Christmas each year. “On Saint Barbara’s day on Dec. 17, we would prepare a traditional dish made of wheat and nuts, which carry a religious connotation. We would distribute dishes to our family, friends and acquaintances — even among Muslims — but this year we did not,” Reem told Al-Monitor.

“Some of our family members are doctors, engineers and technicians working in medical laboratories. We fear they have been in contact with people infected with the coronavirus. This year, the family will not reunite over meals for the holidays,” she added.

To abide by the imposed social distancing measures, Jalda will content himself to wishing his sisters a merry Christmas over the phone. “It is customary during holidays to make family visits and offer gifts, but unfortunately to prevent the spread of the virus there will be no such visits.” Jalad’s family, however, has set up and decorated the Christmas tree at home just like every year.