Lowering guard in festive season may prove costly

OPEN HOUSE: How to ensure safe celebrations during the festive season?

Festivals are important cultural events in any society. We have a multicultural, pluralistic and heterogeneous society. Amid the Covid-19 scare, there is a dire need to take extra care in the festive season. Maintaining social distance, wearing mask and sanitising hands are some of the precautions which can't be ignored. Parents must keep children under their supervision and control whenever they step outside of their house. Don't shake hands and greet each other with namaste. Avoid unnecessary market visits. Avoid eating outside. Educate children and other family members about Covid precautions while celebrating festivals.

Farzana Khan

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e- Shopping can play a vital role

In view of the pandemic, online shopping can prove to be boon for consumers. People can do their shopping using e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal etc. and get the product at doorsteps. These sites provide various types of discounts and offers, especially during the festive season to attract consumers. E-shopping saves time and cost plus provides 24x7 availability of goods and services. It not only prevents us from the pandemic but also supports the Digital India initiative.

Miyush Trehan

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Avoid large gatherings

At this critical time, we must bear in mind that the health and safety of our families must be ensured. Following necessary precautions is the best way to prevent ourselves from Covid-19. Refrain from shaking hands and greet one another with namaste. Maintain social distancing in all conditions. It is recommended not to eat from outside during the festive season as it can cause gut infections, which can affect immunity and overall health. Ignoring mild symptoms can also be hazardous for health. Thus, avoiding large gatherings, wearing mask, washing hands regularly and using sanitisers properly can be the suitable steps towards the safe and secure celebrations.

Kamaldeep Kaur

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Don’t eat junk food

In view of the pandemic, the traditional way of celebrating festivals have needs to be changed to ensure safe celebrations. The following measures should be taken to keep the virus at bay. Firstly, large gatherings should be avoided. Secondly, we should keep refrain from eating junk food and prefer homemade food. Thirdly, avoid visiting others houses and follow all precautionary norms.

Harleen Kaur

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Sanitise gifts, parcels

The following measures should be taken to prevent yourself and others from infection. Wearing mask, washing hands regularly, using hand-rubs, are some of the precautions you must take to ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe. People should not neglect symptoms as increase the risks. Namaste and not handshakes should be the norm, especially during the festive season. Proper sanitisation of gifts and parcels should also be done.

Vivek Shukla

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Celebrate festivals while staying at home

Amid the Covid-19 crisis, we can ensure safe celebrations of the festivals by following the precautions such as wearing mask and using sanitiser. Social distancing should also be followed at the shops or stores. People should prefer online shopping instead of rushing to markets. Preferably, people should celebrate the festivals while staying at home rather than fulfilling the relationships.

Vidushi Jain

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Don't ignore symptoms

This festive season try to avoid unnecessary rituals if you can. Avoid unhealthy food as it can weaken your immunity and the power to fight the virus. According to a recent study, Covid-19 virus can remain active on surface for 28 days, so try not to give or receive any gifts this year. Last but not least do not ignore any symptoms. Anyone having mild symptoms should get themselves tested and staying at home.

Geetika Kalra

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Don't neglect risk of reinfection

Amid the pandemic, it has become more important to lay emphasis on health and safety. We all want that our families and friends should remain healthy and safe during these times. We should follow all precautions such as wearing mask, washing hands regularly, using hand rubs etc. As reinfection is rare but not impossible, we should not ignore symptoms. Even many people who have contracted the virus remain asymptomatic or others who have even the mildest symptoms should not ignore or take it as seasonal flu or common cold. Namaste and not handshake should be preferred to remain safe. Avoid eating food outside as it can cause stomach infection which can affect our immunity and overall health.

Dr Jasdeep Kaur

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Fine defaulters

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic and for safe celebration of festivals, three rules that must be followed. Firstly, people must not collect in large numbers at any one place for any function or event and must follow social distancing. Secondly, wash hands often or use an alcohol-based sanitiser. Thirdly, everyone must wear a mask while going out in the open. Those who don't follow these precautions should be fined.

Gautam Dev

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Avoid ostentatious celebrations in festivals

All of us anxiously wait for the festival days. This year to prevent the second wave of Covid-19, we will have to be extra cautious and celebrate festivals sensibly. We must avoid crowding in the shops, markets and plazas at all costs as well as not go for ostentatious celebrations. Only our all out and collective efforts can save the coming winter and gala days from turning into a disaster. We should not forget wearing a protective mask, hand hygiene and as well as spitting etiquette. Keeping in mind the importance of avoiding congregations and maintenance of physical distancing in current pandemic we can pray and pay reverence to Gods from our homes only.

Dr Sunil Chopra

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Send e-greetings

The festival season has begun and we all must remember that Covid-19 risk looms large though its pace is slow. At any cost the guard must not be lowered as far as the precautions regarding the spread of the virus. Celebrations must be held while adhering to government norms. The shopkeepers have to make sure that physical distancing norms, putting on masks, use of thermal scanners etc. are adhered not only by themselves, but also by their customers. While greeting each other, we should avoid handshakes and hugs rather greet each other with folded hands from a suitable distance. Keep an eye on children as they generally forget the safety norms while celebrating. People should send e-greetings instead of gifts.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

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Put restrictions on organising melas

There is a great need of precautions in festive season as it is a season of mass gathering. We can see huge rush in markets in this season. Some precautions can be taken to minimise the risk of infection. Shopkeepers must sanitise their customers before entering into a shop. Customers and shopkeepers must wear mask. Government should put restrictions in organising melas as it's very difficult to control the people in such a crowded place. Police officials must be extra vigil during this season. Sweets shops must be in hygienic conditions and regular inspections must be done by the authorities. Crowded places must be strictly observed and violators must be punished.

Ritu Priya

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Time to remain extra careful

Under the current situation, we have to take extra care and follow norms laid down by the World Health Organization. We all must avoid using crackers and celebrate green Diwali. We must avoid touching gifts and other articles during these days. While sharing gifts and sweets we all must wear masks and should keep social distancing. Share juice and fruits on these days of festivals. Proper care must be given to kids and old aged persons. Avoid moving in crowding places.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

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Take care of overall health

Wearing masks, washing hands regularly, using hand-rubs, are some of the precautions you must take to ensure that you and your loved ones stay safe. Do not ignore any symptoms. Studies have suggested that Covid-19 symptoms may actually not be the most reliable indicator of the infection. However, even as many people who have contracted the virus remain asymptomatic, others who have even the mildest symptoms should not ignore them, or pass them as a "seasonal flu" or "common cold". Isolating, staying home, and taking precautions are very necessary. This is not just because you may put other people at risk, but also because with weakened immunity due to some other infection, your body may be more vulnerable to the disease. While reinfection cases are rare, they are not impossible. Assuming anything about the disease or the behaviour of the virus can prove very dangerous. Greet each other with namaste and not handshakes. Refrain from eating outside. While there is no evidence that the disease can be transferred through cooked food, it is recommended to not eat from outside during the festive season, just to take care of overall health.

Sneha Pal

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Celebrate festivals at home

Everyone should enjoy the festive season but take good care of your health also. Social gatherings should be completely avoided. An individual should go for shopping for festive season during weekdays rather than on weekends. While going outside one must be keeping sanitisers with them and should not put off their mask even for a second. Online shopping should be preferred over going outside. Rather than enjoying the festive season outside one must stay at home and enjoy it with their family and dear ones. Homemade food should be preferred than the street food. Items brought at our homes should be sanitised properly.

Simranjeet kaur

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Get yourself tested

As we welcome the festive season amid the pandemic, it is important to look after our health also. Nowadays people are not taking the disease seriously and not following any precautions. Wearing mask, washing hands are some of the necessary precautions we should take. Do not ignore any symptoms. Even we have mild symptoms we should get our tests done. Don't believe in false assumption that they will not fall sick. It is recommended not to eat from outside during the festive season.

Mannat Middha