India must ease out curbs, not lift them like others: Public health experts

Public health experts say India should not emulate other countries and ease all restrictions even as Covid-19 cases begin to recede. Measures like wearing masks, avoiding unnecessary crowding and ventilation with good airflow in public places must be ensured for at least the next couple of months, they said.

"Under no circumstances we should do away with all restrictions. We should not emulate other countries as their health system is much stronger. Unnecessary large gatherings should be avoided, masking is very much needed," said Ambarish Dutta, additional professor at the Public Health Foundation of India.

With the number of Covid-19 cases going down, the union health ministry on Wednesday directed states to do away with the additional restrictive measures that had been imposed to deal with the third wave of the pandemic.


Experts say restrictions need to ease out, but they cannot disappear totally.

"To have to do well in life, the citizens themselves have to follow the Covid-appropriate behaviour. It has to be a slow transition, not to normalcy but a new thought of life for the next couple of months," said Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine, at Delhi's Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.

Chatterjee said it is not the time to say that the pandemic is over.

"The pandemic is inching towards an endemic phase. But I would still keep my comments guarded at this moment for at least the next 2-3 months," he added.

Senior epidemiologist Giridhara Babu said cautious optimism should be exercised in lifting the restrictions based on local evidence.

"Ensuring vaccination coverage and strengthening the plans for boosters for the vulnerable should be the backbone of better preparedness. Preventing large congregations of unvaccinated and enforcing masks should continue as the mainstay even when restrictions are taken off," he said.

Experts feel that opening schools should be an absolute priority.

There is a need to contend with public fatigue with restrictions, the need to restore the economy and the urgent requirement to reopen schools and other educational institutions, said Gautam Menon, professor of physics and biology at the Ashoka University.

He said it would be useful to recommend masking in closed venues, for the time being, but maybe voluntarily and using nudges rather than mandates. “Outdoor gatherings should be ok and there’s no reason to restrict those anymore,” he added.