The latest wave of the COVID-19 means people are having to stay at home for the holiday. It might be hard to accept it, but as China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments with 12 cartoons collected from the newspaper.

In the third year of the global pandemic, the battle to gain the upper hand on the virus is still being fought.

Sadly, the Omicron variant of the virus has ruined many people’s plans for the holiday,

and has put fresh pressure on the previously buoyant economy.

Many have to spend the holiday in the comfort of home.

Some may even be in home quarantine, seeing their loved ones through a window. Life is rather inconvenient when you are confined in this way, we know.

But bear in mind things could be worse. At least we are safe, thanks to the hard work of millions of medical staff.

Spare a thought for the doctors and nurses who are standing on the front line during the holiday protecting us from the virus.

It is they who are bravely confronting the virus, whatever the strain.

And let's offer our thanks to the medical researchers that made the vaccines that protect us.

We can play our own parts in helping the medical staff tame the virus by observing the prevention and control protocols,

Working together we can defeat the latest wave of the virus as quickly as possible,

and form a defensive net to prevent it resurging again.

Have a safe and happy holiday, wherever you are!