VASCO
Amid efforts by the State government to declare Goa mask-free, noted Vasco-based pulmonologist and former IMA State president Dr Anil Mehndiratta on Thursday said it was too early for Goa to go mask-free, especially after the first case of the new Covid variant Omicron XE has just been detected.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Mehndiratta said he would personally advise Goans to be under a mask for a minimum of six more months, till the State has zero Covid cases.
"The government has to decide what is to be done after Delhi and Mumbai have gone mask-free, but my concern is that a new Covid variant Omicron XE has just been detected in Mumbai from an international traveller.”
“It may be too early to call ourselves Covid-free. We have used masks for two years and we can persist to wear masks for another six months," said Dr Mehndiratta.
"It has also been proved that wearing masks by both persons reduces the transmission of the virus from each other to less than 2 per cent even if one has the infection.”
“Cases of Tuberculosis and asthma attacks have also reduced considerably after wearing masks. One should not get rid of masks just because some people feel that Covid is over. Covid is not over and going to stay for some time," Dr Mehndiratta added.
Dr Mehndiratta claimed that with international flights opening up, Goa could get tourists from all over and the chances of the infection increasing are very high.
“The government has adopted a policy that no RTPCR tests are required for people with double vaccine from certain countries on arrival at the airport and this can cause the difference. I feel that we should at least have a mask till we continue to get zero Covid cases for a long time," said Dr Mehndiratta.
