Indians throw Covid-19 caution out of the window in celebration rush

A huge rush of people has been thronging marketplaces across all major cities and towns in India to make festive purchases this Diwali. Union Ministry of Health and state authorities have been cautioning people to maintain social distancing and follow other Covid-19 protocols to prevent the resurgence of pandemic.

India had witnessed a devastating second wave of Covid-19 in April-May earlier this year but the number of cases has gone down since. However, the Center and state authorities are cautioning people about the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. Experts are now predicting an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases post-Diwali.

MDelhi’s Sadar Bazar, Sarojini Nagar market and Karol Bagh, Chennai’s T Nagar market, Indore’s Rajwada market, Mumbai’s Crawford market, Dadar and Lalbagh, and Jaipur’s Jauhari Bazar witnessed a huge footfall of shoppers ahead of Diwali.

A recent survey has also indicated that only two percent of Indians think that masks are effective against Covid-19 and only three percent agreed that people are following prescribed social distancing norms in their area.

The Center has also asked all the states to avoid large crowds and to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus amid the festive season.

Image courtesy of (courtesy: dnaindia.com)

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