We are on the threshold of the first anniversary where steps to prevent the pandemic began with the national voluntary janata curfew which was first declared on March 22. A year has almost gone by with certain timely relaxations of private and public gathering of weddings, funerals and conferences changing the course of our lives to a virtual world with most of us self imposing restrictions of movement as ordered by the State officials for controlling the spread of the life threatening disease by observing the SOP protocols of wearing masks, keeping safe distance and hand sanitizing. Even schools are closed and classes are held through virtual medium for the safety of the health of our youth. The initiation of the National Vaccination programme at first to the frontline warriors and later from March 1 of all senior citizens was well accepted by the public at large although at first there was some reluctance to take the jab of one of the two variants of vaccine.
However lately there has been resurgence in Coronavirus cases in main urban areas like Panjim and Margao due to increase in tourist flow from the neighbouring affected areas like Maharashtra, wedding receptions, and campaigning for the local CCP and municipal elections respectively by the local MLA alongwith group of supporters leading to a disgustful neglect of Covid-19 protocols.
The prime minister in his recent address to the chief ministers of various States which included our own Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has called upon the concerned governments to take measures to prevent the spread by RT-PCR testing, tracking and treating. There is an apprehension of spread of Covid-19 especially in Panjim due to huge flow of tourists from Maharashtra who gather at the landmark facade of the imposing Panjim Church without observing the SOPs, for which the Government has to adopt stringent measures to protect its citizens even though there may be Covid-19 fatigue. The respective Collectors and District Magistrates along with the Health Officials duly authorised under the DM Act must control the spread by enforcing certain restrictions and the elected representatives leading the campaigns should not be obsessed with the desire to grab power of local bodies but also be aware of their responsibilities to contain the pandemic.
