The State of Karnataka has more than 2.5 lakh active covid cases. 29,744 new cases were reported in the State. To cut the chain of transmission, it is going for a 14-days lockdown starting from Tuesday, April 27.
But prior to the lockdown, on Monday (Apr 26) evening, a mass gathering of devotees at Someshwar Temple in Mangaluru, Karnataka was captured on camera. Times Now conveyed that the local administration there had failed to ensure people follow social distancing norms. The gathering was of course huge, and many were reported to be present in the venue without wearing masks.
Compliance from organizers and devotees of such religious events have not been so encouraging in recent times, and the same could be said of the Kumba Mela, where lakhs of people participated in the mega event despite the second wave’s threat was intense in the country.
Of course, denying the public and the devotees these festivities and worships would hurt their sentiments and religious feelings, but at a time of grave emergency, the number of participants could have been limited. Even till the last minute, there were violations of covid-norms.
For the next 2 weeks, Govt of Karnataka has ordered the temples’ doors to be shut, no public transport, metro rail service, cabs and auto service will be available and only emergency travel will be allowed.
Because of this transport restriction, bus stations across the State were flooded with travellers, on Monday night, who preferred to visit their hometowns during the time of lockdown.
While vaccination drive is allowed during this lockdown period, it would be a challenge to those without their own vehicles to reach the vaccination points. Essential goods can be bought between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., then there are other generally seen restrictions related to restaurants, banks, weddings etc.
Several cities and states have entered into lockdown mode. The city of Mumbai is reported to be seeing a reduction in its daily covid cases in recent times after the lockdown was implemented.
However, when news about weekend curfews broke, Migrant workers in the city started to flee to their hometowns via trains to avoid facing the lockdown. The trains at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus were ‘Jam-Packed’ with guest-workers.
Depending upon the intensity of second wave, the City and the State Administrations have to take firm steps to ensure that no mass gathering of people take place in their respective regions during this second wave of the pandemic, whether they are political, religious or societal.