With Holi (29 March) and other festivals just around the corner, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has ‘strongly advised’ states to consider imposing restrictions on public gatherings.
The fear is that laxity during the upcoming festival season could prove disastrous in light of the recent surge in COVID cases across the country.
Some states and UTs including Delhi and Chandigarh have already imposed a ban on public Holi celebrations and mass gatherings reported IANS.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority's Order
The DDMA, in its order, observes that “the situation of COVID-19 in Delhi has been reviewed and it has been observed that there has been a persistent rise in COVID-19 cases in NCT of Delhi during the last fortnight.”
It goes on to say that the gatherings, congregations, and public celebration during the upcoming festivals of Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Navaratri, Bihu, Easter among others, could accelerate the spread of the virus and result in a major setback “to the appreciable gains made in the suppression of chain of transmission of COVID-19 cases in Delhi.”
What the order says:
- In NCT Delhi, no public celebrations and gatherings will be allowed in public places, public grounds, public parks, markets, or religious places.
- In case any person is found violating the aforesaid instructions, the defaulting person(s) shall be proceeded against applicable laws.
This order comes after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, chairperson of DDMA, held a review meeting to discuss the recent spike in COVID cases in the national capital on Monday, 22 March.
On 23 March, Delhi saw a sharp spike in cases with 1,101 new cases being reported in a single day.
The letter issued by the Health Ministry Additional Secretary Arti Ahuja, also states that strict adherence to covid appropriate behaviour in public places is the key to breaking the chain of transmissions and that not doing so could lead to the country “losing the impetus and benefits that our country has gained so far in managing the virus.”
(Written with inputs from IANS)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)