Restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums and swimming pools besides Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes have been permitted to function at 25% of the authorised capacity with due precautions to Covid Appropriate Behavior and adherence to SOP.
With the confirmation of Omicron cases, though belated, there is apprehension among people about the possibility of a lockdown. One hopes that government decisions are driven by science, due regard should be given to economic realities also.
So far, science has shown that mitigating the Omicron variant outbreak is a wiser choice than containment. Some studies have shown that the virus is far less virulent than earlier variants. At the same time most studies have shown it is far more transmissible. As per the central government, the need for hospitalizing people has been lesser than the previous wave. While there is no room to be complacent, locking down does not seem to be the right choice. The economic reality needs to be accepted and any restrictions, mild or stricter, will lead to immense losses for businesses, with a very high number of workers, if not all, facing pay cuts and rising unemployment. Life is important and protecting it is a must. If the situation comes to such a pass that the restrictions become inevitable in keeping with science, there should be no second thought but to impose them to protect the life of every individual. However any knee-jerk decision may impact ordinary life and should be avoided at all costs. While one hopes that all the decisions by the government will be driven by science, people must understand the perils of giving goby to SOPs and CAB.
Simple precautions would help prevent the spread of the virus including Omicron variant. Simply wearing masks has been scientifically been effective at reducing the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.
It is a scientifically known fact that masks act as barriers, trapping and filtering out virus particles from the air one breathes. Also if the infected person wears a mask, it reduces the risk of infection to those around them. Also when the uninfected person wears a mask, it reduces the risk of infection to him from the infected person. Avoiding crowded places and gatherings has been advised time and again. It should be followed without fail.