Enforce Covid curbs properly
The new Covid-19 curbs, due to come into effect from January 13, 2022, were not unexpected and have not come a day too soon. Hardly had we been able to breathe a bit peacefully when the third wave of the pandemic overtook us with a new incarnation of the coronavirus. One hopes that the curbs, if fully enforced, would prevent the need for a complete lockdown and help avoid the adverse consequences of it.
But we need to be aware of the fact that the Omicron variant is highly transmissible; it has spread like wildfire in the US and much of Europe and the UK. It has high immune evasion capability, but its severity is reportedly low. In other words, it has the potential to infect heavily, saturating the healthcare system, but the casualty rate may not be as high as in the case of the previous variants.
Experience of the last two years of our combat against Covid should prepare the nation well to face the new onslaught. There is no better way to fight the malady than stopping its propagation. That can be done by following the safety protocols—both individual and collective—remaining at home as much as possible, avoiding gatherings of any nature, and, of course, getting vaccinated against the virus.
However, while the restriction orders are comprehensive, there are a few issues that we feel should be pointed out. Religious, political and social gatherings "in open places" have been banned. Are we to understand that such gatherings can be organised in closed spaces? One would have thought that while gatherings of any definition should be shunned, open-place gatherings are safer than closed-door ones, where airflow is restricted and air conditioners work as transmitters of the virus. Moreover, no such caveat has been imposed on malls, shops and big markets, which will operate as per usual business hours. We believe that there is a need for some kind of restrictions on large shopping malls.
Experience has shown that these safety provisions are never fully enforced. This is most acute in the transport sector where, despite the restrictions, we have found public transports carrying passengers at full capacity, yet charging more than the normal fare.
What we find most surprising is that, after January 15, unvaccinated students aged 12 years and above will not be allowed to attend classes in person, and that a vaccine certificate must be furnished to dine at restaurants. We believe these two conditions are inapt. As of January 6, 2022, 39 percent of the targeted population and 31 percent of the total population of the country have received both doses of the vaccine, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Such an order would be appropriate only when the entire population has been given both the shots. This aspect should be reconsidered.
Restrictions can be effective only when they are followed. The administration should not rest by issuing orders only. Ensuring its compliance is equally important, if not more.
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