Nagpur: After the collectors in all 11 districts of Vidarbha announced lockdown like restrictions on Thursday, many people expressed surprise the authorities were focusing on marriages and gatherings, and not on shopping, markets and complete lockdowns.
Experts told TOI that the spurt in infections is happening due to careless behaviour at gatherings, weddings and various functions. Stopping commercial activities, markets, offices and business activities is not required, said doctors.
“Hardly anyone is seen wearing a mask at weddings. Hundreds of people are inside air-conditioned halls without masks or social distancing. This is a certain recipe for disaster,” said veteran pulmonologist Dr Ravindra Sarnaik, who is also member of Covid task force.
Infectious disease specialist Dr Nitin Shinde termed marriages as ‘most risky transmission modality’. “Shops or markets are different. There is 1-to-1 or 1-to-3 interaction in market place. Marriages are like hundreds of people in indoor gathering,” he said.
“Inter-state travel for marriage functions is also common. People gather from different cities, states and travel together in one minibus or car. This mixing one of the reasons why a mutation from Andhra Pradesh was brought to Yavatmal,” said Dr Mahesh Shah.
Doctors in Covid hospitals have specifically mentioned that a majority of patients coming in last 10 days have history of attending wedding functions somewhere.
“While weddings are predominant; many patients have history of attending small, non-professional gatherings and events like birthday parties, family occasions, community gathering and rallies,” said a doctor from a leading private hospital in Nagpur. The city has more than 5,600 active corona patients currently.
In Akola, the local administration has permitted movement of public transport and allowed highway fuel stations and roadside dhabas to function, but imposed 50-guest limit in weddings. In Yavatmal too, collector M Devendra Singh has made it clear that the restrictions are on public gathering events and not on usual business. In Nagpur, organizers have to take permission of assistant municipal commissioner to host a wedding function.
WHO TIPS FOR WEDDINGS
For guests…
– Stay at home if you are feeling unwell
– Maintain distance from others, and wear a mask
– Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
– Wash hands frequently with soap and water
For hosts…
– Choose outdoor venues over indoor spaces — if indoors, ensure the area is well-ventilated
– Minimize crowding by following local guidelines strictly
– Provide all hand hygiene stations, hand sanitizer, closed-lid bins, masks etc
– Cancelling a planned event is an option that should always be considered
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