Lockdown no solution, only precautions can help

Open house: Should curbs be reimposed to prevent spread of covid in tricity?

Not too late to impose curfew again

Even now, it’s not too late to impose lockdown/curfew again to prevent the infection from spreading. No doubt economic activities must continue to sustain society and business community, but not at the cost of lives of the public. Lockdown exit must be a balanced act between economy revival and citizens’ health.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Staggered easing only way

Staggered easing and its pace should be influenced by the success of containment over the next few days. A methodology has to be evolved to prevent people from spilling out in streets. The lockdown should be implemented on alternate days. All borders around the tricity should be sealed and violations handled strictly.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

Lockdown has done more harm

Many people are seen walking in parks and markets without masks and not observing social distance what to talk about use of hand sanitisers or maintaining cleanliness. Enforce guidelines without any further delay. However, the UT Administration should not resort to lockdown as it has done more harm than good to the public at large.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

Educate people, don’t take strict measures

It is better to educate people of the tricity on Covid-19 guidelines rather enforcing strict measures, which are often counterproductive. We all have to face coronavirus. Awareness should be spread among the masses through media to wear masks, maintain social distance — ‘2 gaj ki duri’ — and to sanitise hands regularly.

Col TBS Bedi (Retd), Mohali

Stop misuse of relaxations

People are misusing unlock relaxations and do not care to strictly follow norms of social distancing and wearing face masks while shopping in markets or purchasing vegetables/fruits from vendors. It is here that the police have to stringently enforce the Covid guidelines by penalising or physically apprehending violators.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

No more lockdowns in Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali

The Administrations in the tricity can increase Covid testing, tracing and isolation. People coming from cities like Delhi should be compulsorily tested and kept under isolation. However, lockdown of any kind is not an option. It’ll only slowdown the virus spread temporarily, but adversely impact business, which is already reeling under heavy losses.

Sikander Singh, Chandigarh

Only precautions can keep one safe

Why not follow precautions to save ourselves and our near and dears from the dreaded disease. There should be complete lockdown on Sundays. Social distancing should be followed in all places. Thermal checking should continue.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Bitter dose can discipline residents

Inspite of authorities’ best efforts, Covid-19 is spreading in the tricity. Residents have never bothered to take basic precautions, resulting in spike in the disease. The authorities in the tricity must impose strict restrictions to discipline people because life is more important than anything else. A bitter dose is needed.

Capt Amar Jeet Kumar (Retd), Mohali

A temporary phase, will pass soon

For sure, to contain the disease strict measures must be implemented again. Residents of the tricity must understand that its their moral duty to follow Covid-19 guidelines. We have to take care of our economy, but not at the cost of our lives. It is a temporary phase of our lives, which will pass soon.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Send violators to prison for 14 days

Agreed that the authorities in the tricity should strictly impose restrictions to prevent the spread of conoravirus. But, people don’t follow rules and are careless. They take undue advantage of relaxations and roam in streets without wearing face masks. Anyone breaking rules should be imprisoned for 14 days. Only then people will learn.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

Curbs will go a long way in stemming virus

The authorities need to mull ramping up testing and Covid-19 infra. Revisiting the lockdown curbs, re-imposition of weekend curfew, slapping hefty fines, strict punishment, including jail terms for habitual offenders, would go a long way in stemming the menace from taking an alarming proportion. We as citizens of the country need to shoulder responsibility to fight battle against the killer virus.

Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh

Keep a check on number of vendors

The Administration should force public to follow guidelines issued by the government. Fines should be imposed on those not wearing face masks or maintaining social distance. There should be check on the number of vendors selling vegetable and fruits. Only vendors maintaining cleanliness should be permitted to sell vegetables and essentials.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Increase night curfew hours

With the number of corona patients rising steeply in the tricity and the Administration failing to stem the spread of virus, it has become more or less likely to impose lockdown now. A start can be made with a night curfew for a longer duration.

Priyam Aggarwal, Chandigarh

Administration in tricity must adopt joint strategy

The Administration in the tricity should work out a joint strategy to combat the spread of pandemic. A step forward in this direction is curtailing of certain relaxations by the Punjab Government. It would be prudent if both Chandigarh and Panchkula implement the Mohali norms.

Hardeep Singh Sulach, Mohali

Govt cannot be mute spectator to lapses

Failure of self-regulation as is evident from the carelessness at public places warrants stringent measures as the government cannot be a mute spectator to lapses endangering health and lives of citizens. Curtailing of some civil and civic liberties too has to be accepted. Many states have reverted to stringent curbs. Surely, Administrations in the tricity must not lag behind in public interest.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Say no to functions, gatherings

Tricity residents must say no to functions and gatherings. Virus is going to stay for another few months then why not play safe. The authorities should be strict with violators, who jump norms. Keep such people in the lockup for one or two days. Do not compel the authorities to impose lockdown/curfew again. Follow ‘stay home stay safe’ norm.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Belief ‘Sanoo ki hona ae’ is false

It appears that with few exceptions the southern sectors of Chandigarh and outskirts of Mohali are more prone to Covid-19. Recently, I was at Mohali hospital for my wife’s eye operation. In the AC room for attendants, four persons were not wearing masks. I came out and sat in the open after reporting to hospital officials. Our youngsters believe ‘Sanoo ki hona ae’ (Nothing would happen to us).

Dr Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Active surveillance need of the hour

There is need of active surveillance and adopting tracing, testing, and treatment approach. People should strictly follow social distancing, wear masks and wash hands frequently. Above all the authorities should appeal to citizens for community participation to stem the spread of virus. They will not succeed without the support of people. Violators should face an FIR.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Disease deadly, but violations continue

Even after knowing consequences of the deadly disease people are not following guidelines issued by the government. Awareness campaigns must be organised and strict action taken against violators of the Covid norms. If required curfew can be reimposed to contain the disease. The business and economy will survive if people are alive. Otherwise, there is no use of economy.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Minhas (retd), Mohali

Draw up action plan

A clear-cut master plan should be drawn in detailed consultations with medico experts and nodal officers at different levels assigned the task of its implementation and monitoring. Comprehensive preparedness would entail ready availability of doctors, paramedical staff, police personnel, dedicated hospitals and clinics, all requisite medicines, and so forth.

Dr SS Bhatti, Chandigarh

Admn, healthcare staff doing their best

It is up to citizens whether they want relaxations and save themselves and the economy or not. They have to live with caution as the pandemic is here to stay. Increase contact tracing, testing and house to house screening. Weekend curfew with stricter curbs permitting essential services and industrial activity should be imposed in the tricity.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (Retd), Chandigarh

Role of the general public is important

As of now, everyone is in a quandary. Neither the government nor the public can afford long-term lockdown. Therefore, people must understand the gravity of the situation and sincerely obey the guidelines issued from time to time by the authorities to fight pandemic. We must realise that no movement can be transformed into revolution without the sincere involvement of the public.

Surinder Paul Wadhwa, Mohali

QUESTION

The tricity has witnessed a spurt in suicide cases recently, particularly among senior citizens. Do you think the pandemic is to blame for it as they may have been affected more because of lack of freedom to move out and diminished social interaction? What do you think can be done at the community level to help them cope with the stress?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com