How can Chandigarh control gatherings during festive season to prevent 3rd wave?

The way to deal with crowding is either declare Section 144 or shut markets and both these measures are impossible to implement. The best way to make people take precautions is create a “Green Force” comprising police, members of civil society and NGOs to make people aware of the danger of crowding in public places when cases of Covid and dengue are still being reported. The shopkeepers must allow a minimum number of customers inside shops. It will take time to change the mind-set of people and politicians who, up to a greater extent, are responsible for inviting and protecting crowds.

Capt Amar Jeet, Greater Mohali

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Impose partial lockdowns

The festival season has already set in. It is necessary to keep a check on social gatherings. The government may impose partial lockdowns. The shops may be allowed to open on an odd-even basis with curtailed timings. The Administration may order the closure of educational institutions for one week during Diwali.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

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Provide multiple exits, entrances

UT administration can take various steps to control gatherings during the festival season. They can offer online attendance options in addition to in-person attendance to help reduce the number of people at events. Ensure that people standing in queues maintain a 6-foot distance from one another. Provide multiple entrances and exits and discourage crowding in waiting areas. Designate an administrator or office to be responsible for responding to Covid-19 concerns.

Vineet Gandhi, Chandigarh

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Gatherings cannot be controlled

There will be no third wave of Covid. Unnecessary hype is being created. Gatherings cannot be controlled as people are now tired of following protocols. Most people are already vaccinated. Now, all restrictions should be removed so that people live normal lives as in pre-Covid times.

IPS Anand, Chandigarh

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Residents should adhere to norms

Residents should avoid gathering at one place in market places during the festive season. At the same time, the UT Administration should deploy police force to sensitise the public to preventive measures. If someone does not follow the norms, then he or she be dealt with strictly.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

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Police need to be more vigilant

Instead of issuing any fresh directives to people, the UT Administration just has to ensure strict implementation of its existing orders with regard to limiting the number of people at marriages, religious places, hotels, buses, cinemas and other public places. The police have to be proactive. Penal action against the wilful violators must be taken irrespective of the fact who he or she happens to be.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

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Public should realise the fact

The natives of Chandigarh and adjoining towns are considered to be educated and awakened society. Hence, they can very well perceive the consequences of the possible third wave of Covid. Celebrations of festivals is a routine matter in India, so heaven is not going to fall if we change the trend of festivity for the sake of wellbeing of our society. This is hardly possible to follow restrictions and guidelines in crowded public places. The administration should not turn a blind eye to the situation and be prepared to enforce the regulations by any means. Leniency on the part of either the public or the administration can lead to problems.

Surinder Paul Wadhwa, Mohali

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Create awareness among public

To control gatherings during the festive season, the Administration should plan in advance. It should identify market zones that see crowding, and deploy policemen there. There should be restrictions on the number of persons inside any shop at a given time, based on the covered area of the premises. People must be sensitised to the danger of crowding during the festive season. There should be similar restrictions for fairs and parks. Shoppers not following social distancing or wearing masks below their noses must be penalised. Shops must be urged to provide home delivery service for festive items.

Simran Sidhu, Chandigarh

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Covid-appropriate behaviour

We, as responsible citizens, must come forward and follow the guidelines laid down by the government. We, too, have some moral responsibilities which we all must perform. Shopkeepers have a big task of not allowing more than the specified number of customers in their shops and that too maintaining a distance of 6 feet wherever possible. Shopkeepers must encourage customers to wear masks and also sport one themselves. The festive season is for fun and frolic, but at the same time we should not forget that the danger of the pandemic still looms large. Therefore, there should not be any laxity on the part of Covid-19 guidelines.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

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Celebrate all festivals at home

The Administration can deny permission for major functions such as Diwali mela in various sectors. Other major public gatherings must not be allowed in the city. People should be encouraged to celebrate all festivals at home with their families. There should be extra deployment of police in markets. Wearing a mask must be made compulsory and violators challaned Rs500.

Manish Jindal, Patiala

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Take help of social groups, volunteers

During the festive season, people have a fundamental right to hold gatherings. At the same time, the public must be advised to follow the guidelines issued by the UT to keep a check on gatherings. Exit and entrances to the venues of public gatherings must be properly marked. The help of social and volunteer groups must be taken to manage the crowds. Let us celebrate the festive season in a peaceful and cordial manner rather than giving reasons to authorities to impose a ban on gatherings which will have a negative effect.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

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No festival is risk-free

Festivals potentially become “super-spreader” events. All citizens will have to abide by new Covid protocols. People celebrate festivals at home and need not to leave the house unless they have an urgent work. The third wave of Covid is likely to be more dangerous than the first and second waves. Ensure people show Covid-appropriate behaviour at crowded places. Religious and spiritual leaders can play a life-saving role in encouraging healthy practices and offering guidance in time of uncertainty. Necessary relaxation should be given only with strict adherence of the social-distancing norm.

Anita K Tandon, Kharar

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Promote home delivery service

To prevent a possible third wave of Covid, the UT Administration must ensure that there is no crowding at a particular place in markets in the city. Shopkeepers must be instructed to follow the Covid protocol strictly at their establishments during this festive season. A proper follow-up by the Administration is the need of the hour. Violators should be fined nominally for the first time and three-day closure of business places can be the punishment thereafter. The Administration can call a meeting of big business houses of the city and ask them to promote home delivery service and online shopping.

AK Jindal, Patiala

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We should act sensibly

Why should all responsibility be thrown on the Chandigarh Administration? We all know what Covid is and as responsible citizens, we should act sensibly. However, the Administration can make public announcements to warn residents of a possible third wave of Covid.

Sapna Sharda, Chandigarh

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People have become careless

Though there is a sharp decline in fresh cases in the city, and life has started limping back to normalcy, the danger of a third Covid wave looms large. It appears that people by and large have become careless. The Administration should cautioned people against laxity and urge them to strictly follow the norms during the festive season. It should act tough against violators. There is a need to scale up vaccination as it’s the only tool to fight Covid. The challenge of controlling gathering is still on and warrants safety guidelines as wearing a mask, washing hands frequently and keeping distance. Above all, a collective effort is the need of the hour to fight the pandemic.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

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Restrict entry at public places

We see hundreds of people thronging temples, amusement parks, markets etc without adhering to the Covid protocol. In order to prevent the third wave of Covid, the Administration should start enforcing the guidelines strictly. Moreover, we also see public personalities and leaders lowering their guard at public functions. This gives a very wrong message to others. The Administration has to restrict entry at public places so that the police can control crowds. If we can celebrate this festive season by adhering to all Covid guidelines, we will do yeoman service to self and others.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

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Vax against variants, masks against mutants

At present, the downward trend in Covid cases is continuing, positivity rate is very low and hospitals are not crowded with patients. However, health experts urge public for exercising caution in their conduct. Keep the seat belt on even when the flight has taken off, they say. As the festive season advances to the joyful Diwali in early November, there is good news of vaccination hitting the 1 billion mark. The danger of a new variant also lurks which can trigger a third wave. However, it can be prevented if we continue to observe Covid-appropriate behaviour. Vaccines against variants and masks against mutants, must be our slogan for safety.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

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Enforce strict rules

In its concern for reviving the economy and the compulsions of elections in adjoining states, the Administration has ignored precautions and removed necessary checks on gatherings everywhere. The public has gone further and started violating the Covid protocol with impunity. Unless strict rules are enforced, like cancelling Diwali melas, parties in clubs and hotels and even restricting entry to markets, lake and malls, any steps taken by the authorities will be ineffective. Announcing guidelines/rules are ineffective unless violators are immediately and severely punished to set an example for others.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

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Educate citizens on responsibilities

As the entire nation is opening up after terrifying times of lockdowns, citizens will like to celebrate festivals with enthusiasm. There should be a limit to gatherings at a function and the organisers should follow the doctrine of “sanitise hands frequently, keep distance and wear the mask”. Educate citizens on their responsibilities. Stern action should be taken against those violating the protocol.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

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Exercise self-discipline

The coming festive season may add to the spread of Covid. First and the foremost thing which may reduce the chances of its spread during the period depends on people’s awareness and self-involvement in avoiding visits to congested places. The Administration should provide open spaces to vendors to reduce congestion during festive shopping. The extended selling areas in front of shops or in verandas must be banned. Masks must also be made compulsory for all customers as well as shopkeepers. Self-discipline of people will go a long way in reducing the suspected Covid spread during the festive period.

Wg Cdr (Dr) JS Minhas (retd), Mohali

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People have become ignorant

Amid scaled-up vaccination, people are feeling relaxed and have become ignorant about taking precautions during the festival season. Only the police alone by imposing a fine on violators cannot make all residents wear masks. A few precautions could help to build a safe and prosperous India.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

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Proper police patrolling a must

It is the need of the hour to control gatherings and prevent the impending third wave of Covid. To do so efficiently, the Administration should firstly identify places attracting crowds. Proper police patrolling must be ensured to avoid crowding. Mass media should be constructively utilised and people educated on how to prevent the third wave. It is critical to implement Covid-appropriate behaviour without any laxity to keep the masses safe.

Ananya Goel, Ambala Cantt

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Avoid unnecessary outings

To prevent the third wave, people should not form large gatherings and also avoid unnecessary outings. The Administration should issue challans for not wearing masks not only to the public but also shopkeepers who entertain people sans masks. Shopkeepers allowing large gatherings outside their shops should be asked to keep their establishments closed for a day or two. Almost every third person in markets or parking areas has stopped wearing a mask as if there is no fear in his mind. Such people should be strictly dealt with.

Savita Kuthiala, Chandigarh

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Prevention is better than cure

Amid this festival season, the UT Administration should ensure that all people must follow Covid-19 protocol properly. The coronavirus variant, AY.4.2, has been found in India which indicates that the third wave will be coming in a few months. The vaccination drive should be scaled up. The proverb, “Prevention is better than cure”, should be followed by one and all. An awareness campaign regarding the Covid protocol should be conducted through online platforms such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, YouTube and Google Meet.

Adish Sood, Amloh

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Self-check is important

It is difficult for the Administration to check each and every individual for their actions. It is high time we learnt self-discipline and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour by wearing masks, sanitising hands regularly and maintaining social distance. Self-check is prime and that only can help society in general, whether festivals or otherwise.

Anju Mohan, Panchkula

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Appoint corona volunteers

People understand the language of penalty and punishment. The Administration needs to appoint corona volunteers as “monitors” at various places. People violating the rules must be penalised. It is evident that people do not have any self-discipline so the Administration needs to go strict.

Garv Bhupesh, Panchkula

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QUESTION

Now that the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the UT to reconsider its proposal on violations and misuse of building bylaws, what further relief can residents expect from the authorities?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]