As people gear up to celebrate Holi on March 29 amid fresh surge in Covid-19 infection across the country, health experts and doctors have advised citizens to hold subdued celebrations. According to experts the usual mode of celebrations can exponentially increase in infections. Holi is a social festival where large groups play together with colours and it takes just one infected person to start off the transmission. However the religious aspect of the festival can be solemnised as usual. This is going to be the second consecutive Holi in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. Holi is celebrated by application of colours on each other by the use of hands. This clearly violates the physical distancing norm which needs to be followed during the pandemic. It would thus be advisable to celebrate the festival by applying the colours among the family members and as far as possible avoid applying colours to strangers as also avoid being applied colours in a crowd.
However even family members who show even the slightest symptoms of the infection may not take part in the festivities. Senior citizens in particular need to exercise caution while taking part in the celebrations. As per a survey conducted by the travel agency Booking.com, Goa has emerged as the top destination for travellers during Holi. With the state witnessing a surge in the number of infections, it would be desirable to have muted Holi celebrations. Goa can ill afford another lockdown as it will severely affect the state’s economy.
