EXPLAINER
Recently AIIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that people need to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, and the crowd needs to be decreased.
India is facing a fresh surge of COVID-19 cases. The condition of some of the states in particular is worrisome. One such state is Maharashtra, where full lockdown has been imposed on weekends and fresh restrictions to last through April.
However, the bigger question arises is that whether a nationwide lockdown will be imposed throughout the country and is lockdown the ultimate solution to the problem? We understand that nationwide lockdown is quite critical. Recently AIIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that people across the country need to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, and the crowd needs to be decreased for a few more months.
Going by what happened the last year, lockdown seems a far-fetched idea. However, the government will keep it as a last resort to curbing the spread of the virus. The government has made it clear that the focus is now on 'test-track-treat' protocol, not shutting down establishments.
In a major development last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released a fresh set of guidelines for the month of April, asking states to enhance the proportion of RT-PCR tests, strictly enforce the 'test-track-treat' protocol, and speed up the pace of COVID-19 vaccination to cover all priority groups.
The fresh guidelines issued by the MHA are effective from April 1 till April 30.
Instead of an immediate lockdown, the government and experts feel strict regulations can control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The government does not want any chaos and anarchy or unnecessary panic among the people. Last year due to the sudden nationwide lockdown, there was a lot of confusion among the people and misunderstandings that led to the migrant labour crisis.
Last year the pandemic was new to the world. No one knew about the novel coronavirus and its behaviour. However, this year we are better equipped against the virus. Scientists across the world have come out with various COVID-19 vaccines and the government is planning to increase the speed of the vaccination drive. And this can be very helpful in containing the virus.
This year the surge in COVID-19 cases is seen in particularly a few states. Lockdown can be an option at district/sub-district and city/ward level, with a view to curb the spread of the deadly virus, based on the assessment of the situation, the government has said. The experts are also of the opinion that adding state-level restrictions will help in containing the virus and hence there will be no need to impose a nationwide lockdown.
The pandemic was new to everyone last year. This year people are more aware of the condition and hence they are taking more precautions at their level. If everyone follows the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, then it will be easy to curb the spread of the virus.
The main focus of the new protocols is to consolidate the substantial gains achieved in containing the spread of the virus, which was visible in the sustained decline in the number of active cases, continuously for about five months as per the government.
The first wave of the pandemic peaked in India in September last year, when the active caseload crossed a million-mark. It continued to decline for about months touching a low of about 11,000 on February 11, 2021.
Prayagraj sees unprecedented crowds, traffic jams leave devotees without food, water amid Mahakumbh
Tirupati Laddu Prasadam row: CBI arrests four people in ghee adulteration case
JEE Mains 2025 Result: NTA JEE Session 1 result to be declared on..., know how to download scorecard
Donald Trump reveals BIG plan, says committed to 'buy and own' Gaza, allow others to...
Radhika Merchant dances her heart out at her friend's wedding to 'Anarkali Disco Chali', Watch
Did Lionel Messi’s son Thiago score 11 goals in single match for Inter Miami? Here's the truth
India vs England: Rohit Sharma goes past Chris Gayle in all-time ODI list led by Shahid Afridi
Ed Sheeran BREAKS silence after Bengaluru cops stop his street performance: 'It wasn't just...'
India gains, Pakistan struggles: Forex reserves rise to Rs 55300044 crore, Pak's decline continues
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma returns to form before Champions Trophy, slams 32nd ODI century vs England
'Mummy daantegi...': Little boy screams as tiger pulls his shirt at zoo, WATCH viral video
Manipur CM N Biren resigns nearly two years after ethnic violence in state
Viral Video: Women travel in train toilet to Maha Kumbh, internet says "Is this a joke?
Vicky Jain's 'bizarre' comment leaves wife Ankita fuming with anger, netizens declare him 'red flag'
Bengaluru cops stop Ed Sheeran's street performance, video goes viral - Watch
Viral video: Lion spotted on moving jeep? Here’s the truth
YouTuber Gaurav Taneja reveals he was 'shocked' over his wife's decision to...
Teddy Day 2025: Date, history and significance of the fourth day of Valentine’s week
'Sugar is the biggest toxin...': Naga Chaitanya calls sugar more toxic than alcohol and tobacco
‘Over for Blinkit, Zepto’, this startup claims ‘delivering humans’ in 10 minutes, shocks netizens
Pratik Gandhi on his struggles, managing job with acting: 'Chaar gante sona luxury tha' | Exclusive
Why did Kumar Vishwas' wife cry after Manish Sisodia lost Delhi Elections: 'Not always power...'
'Fast and Furious' cars collision creates a Rohit Shetty scene on Indian road, viral video
'Go to the room, cry...': Salman Khan's wisdom on love, breakup is all you need this Valentine's Day
Parvesh Verma, BJP leader who defeated Arvind Kejriwal, makes BIG claim, says, 'we have to do...'
Sumona Chakravarti on joining Kapil Sharma show: 'Went from Ram Kapoor's sister to...'
Is Elon Musk still interested in buying TikTok? Tesla CEO provides BIG update, claims...
Groom's mother and mama join hands to burn the dance floor down, viral video sets internet on fire
What is historic 'Blue Gold', costlier than real gold?
Salman Khan opens up about his daddy issues with Salim Khan: 'How can he be right all the time...'
Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolts Caribbean, tsunami advisory issued
Salman Khan supports Sooaj Barjatya, pens note on his OTT debut, calls his show Bada Naam Karenge...
Little girl's energetic dance to 'London Thumakda' leaves netizens in awe, WATCH viral video
Meet man who left IIT, later earned Rs 286 crore in just 20 weeks by...
Viral Video: Sadhus playing cricket at Mahakumbh mela wins hearts online, watch
Happy Chocolate Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes to share with your partner on February 9
Meet woman, who plays key role in Rs 33661 crore company, daughter of billionaire
Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna didn't talk to each other on the Chhaava sets because...
Nita Ambani, Nick Jonas share candid moments at Siddharth Chopra's wedding, WATCH viral video
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025 registration date extended by 7 days; apply at upsc.gov.in
'Fight for progress of Delhi will continue', says LoP Rahul Gandhi after Congress's Delhi debacle