Defying Covid protocols amid unlocking may hasten a third wave: Report

With scores of people defying Covid protocols while planning to dine out, shop and have others over without adhering to Covid guidelines, a likely third wave may come sooner than anticipated, a new industry report cautioned. About a third, or 31% people, plan to visit a restaurant for a meal in the next 60 days while 29% intend to visit a mall, and the majority 90% plan to have extended family and friends, house help or service providers over in next 30 days, the report by community social media platform LocalCircles said.

This comes even as states across India have started phase-wise unlocking post the decline in Covid-19 cases. While West Bengal has relaxed restrictions, extending timing of restaurants and bars with 50% seating capacity, Delhi, for example, has lifted restrictions for restaurants, malls and markets.

Given the known air-borne transmission of the SARS-COV2 strains, all the above activities without adhering to guidelines by business owners and citizens are likely to accelerate the spread of the virus, the LocalCircles report flagged. The Government Covid Taskforce has stated that it is premature to presume the country is out of danger as the possibility of a third wave is high.

“The key here is to observe restraint by going out only when absolutely necessary, wear the right mask and observe social distancing. Similarly, people must continue to keep visitors at home to the essentials and that too with the Covid protocols,” the report added.

According to the report, respondents said they intend to visit a mall in the next 60 days to purchase household, food and discretionary items or just for a change to break from routine.

Air-conditioned restaurants in most parts of India do not have the infrastructure currently to recirculate indoor air several times an hour making them vulnerable spaces, the report said.

Government health officials and experts continue to warn that despite a decline in daily Covid-19 caseload, citizens should limit outdoor visits as well as indoor socialisation with anyone they do not live with.

India experienced massive consequences for its negligence in April and May with almost 60% individuals having someone in their social network getting impacted with the second wave.