Coronavirus disrupts Mother’s Day sweet vibes

By Maria Weldali - Mar 19,2020 - Last updated at Mar 19,2020

AMMAN— Jordanians will have to cancel celebrations of Mother’s Day this year, as the government has instructed people across the board to “stay home” and avoid social gatherings to limit the spread of the killer coronavirus (COVID-19).

Precautionary measures and avoiding contact with others will prevail this year instead upon government instructions for people to practice social distancing amid the global coronavirus outbreak, ruining March 21st sweet vibes.

Over the years, Jordanians have been celebrating their mothers, sisters, wives and female relatives by buying them greeting cards, roses, cakes and gifts, in addition to spending quality time with them. However, as the pandemic spreads, fears of getting infected with COVID-19 altered people’s daily habits and interrupted celebrating special occasions.

Sana Said, a pharmacist based in Amman, said that she is planning to buy her mother a gift when things calm down.
“I was planning to go with my mother to an annual Mother’s Day bazaar in one of Amman’s hotels, but it has been postponed until further notice,” Said told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Mai Bader, whose mother lives in Kuwait, said that she celebrates her mother every year by ordering her flower bouquets, perfumes and cakes, using online delivery websites.

“People are now afraid because of the virus, therefore, I’m not sure if this year delivery ideas would work out,” Bader said.
Meanwhile, a mother, who preferred to remain unnamed, said that she was planning to celebrate her son’s fourth birthday in a kids’ play area in western Amman, but she rescheduled given the ongoing situation.

“Many flower shops, gift shops and homeware stores are offering Mother’s Day discounts up to 35 per cent with free delivery services to people’s door step, taking advantage of buyers’ bargain hunting habits, especially with the Kingdom’s difficult economic conditions,” the mother of one said.

Some retailers are making the most out of the novel coronavirus by selling glittery, jewelled and flashy face masks, while others are adding hand sanitisers and masks to conventional gift boxes, which are usually filled with cocoa cups, chocolates and roses.

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