PATNA: The state government’s decision to end the 35-day-long lockdown and replace it with night curfew along with certain restrictions has evoked mixed reactions among the health experts.
While most of them have termed the decision ‘a bit hasty’, others have welcomed it.
IMA state president Dr Ajay Kumar said it would have been better if the lockdown was continued for at least for one more week.
“Now, the authorities would have to take greater pains in forcing the people to adopt Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Vehicles loaded with passengers must not be allowed to move freely on roads and the market crowds must be controlled,” he said.
Covid incharge of AIIMS-Patna Dr Sanjeev Kumar said, “Night curfew is of little use in a city like Patna as most people move during day hours.
Lockdown forces people to remain inside home as they are afraid of police action and not of infection.
The lockdown should have continued for some time more as it has controlled the transmission of virus considerably.
If adequate protective measures were not followed, a situation like the second wave may recur soon.” Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC)’s joint director Dr A K Ashu said the government’s decision to end the lockdown may backfire as it is very difficult to control the crowd during day hours.
The rate of infection has subsided only because of restrictions imposed on movement of people and once these restrictions are over, it would start rising again.
The ‘uneducated’ people of Bihar would hardly adopt Covid-appropriate behaviour and they would start moving in groups from one place to other.
Gynecologist Dr Punam Raman also observed that the lockdown has been lifted a bit early.
Once, people hear that the lockdown has been lifted, they start thinking Covid has gone.
She further pointed out that Bihar happens to be one of the most densely populated states and a vast majority of the population are yet to be vaccinated.
Dr Gangadhar Singh, head of the department of hygiene and yoga, Govt Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patna, said the lockdown should have been extended at least for a week so that the rate of infection could further slide down.
Past experience shows that masses do not follow Covid norms on their own.
AIIMS Patna director Dr Prabhat Kumar Singh, however, justified the government decision as the situation has come almost under control with the number of positive cases coming down considerably.
And, moreover, lockdown can’t be allowed to continue indefinitely as it causes a lot of inconveniences to the people, he added.