Spread love, not Covid: Keep it light & simple this Valentine’s Day

Virtual Valentine’s Day celebrations may be on the cards for a number of couples according to a recent survey by matrimony platform Jeevansathi.com. The platform found that couples remain cautious about stepping out with more than half confessing that they prefer to stay indoors and organise a romantic virtual date.

Another 15 per cent want to go out but believe it is unsafe and have decided to stay at home instead. Out of those who plan to stay in, 43 per cent plan to meet their partners on video calls. 42 per cent plan to send a Valentine’s day gift, and the rest (12 per cent) prefer to spend time together at home.

Let's meet (but safely)
Of those couples who were comfortable venturing out, 40 per cent say their preferred date would be dinner at a fancy restaurant that followed social distancing norms while 14 per cent opted for a long drive and staycations to avoid exposure.


“With life going back to normal in some ways, a lot of our members are engaging in the “proper” way of getting to know someone – face to face. For those in different cities, there’s always a video call,” said Noopur Pal, head of customer growth at Sirf Coffee.

Aisle founder Able Joseph agrees - whether virtual or in-person, it all depends on what couples feel most comfortable with. “I personally feel that virtual Valentine’s Day celebrations won’t match up to the same intimacy as offline dates. (But) It all boils down to just one thing - comfort. If it makes you less anxious to keep things virtual then ensure that the person you are seeing is on the same page and make the choice. But if you think going out for a ‘real deal’ kind of a date is what you and your partner need right now then that’s great too. Just make sure you are following the guidelines and safety precautions.”

If you’re looking to venture out this Sunday, here are a few tips to have a safe celebration.

Keep your distance
“Make sure that your first two IRL dates are in an open area, and allow for remaining 6 ft apart. We also highly recommend keeping your mask on. What you’re looking to establish is chemistry,” said Anukool Kumar, marketing director at OkCupid India. “There are a lot of great outdoor activities you can do with your match, from a social-distanced hike or walk, to a picnic in the park, or even getting up early to watch the sunrise.”

Be considerate
“We are all looking at safe and healthy ways to step out of isolation. However, it is important to be considerate of the comfort levels of your date, as well as those around you,” said Pal. “Be forthcoming if you have been tested or recently been in contact with someone who has had Covid-19. Pick venues that offer open-air seating and accept reservations in advance, at a location that is convenient to both of you.”

Have the Covid conversation
For couples who are meeting IRL, having the COVID conversation is most important and an important criterion when it comes to compatibility, says Tinder’s in-house expert, clinical psychologist Sonali Gupta.

“Having shared values in the context of wearing a mask, following safety protocol and being mindful about interactions is a first step,” she said. “If you are feeling anxious or nervous to have this conversation, a good step would be to tell your potential date about the various ways you have been staying safe. Ask questions in relation to your potential date's travel history or even other questions about how often they have been meeting people. Having open and honest conversations about COVID is a way of establishing trust and transparency upfront in a potential relationship, which is always a great start.”

But move past the pandemic
For a memorable date, try to talk about more than the pandemic, added Pal. “It is natural to want to talk about the past year, but remember you’re not meeting to discuss the pandemic! Keep it light, simple and worth remembering.”