With the memory of past waves of Covid-19 still fresh along with their devastating effect on lives and livelihoods, the advisory issued by the ICMR to avoid non-essential travel and mass gatherings amid the rise in cases of the new variant Omicron can serve as a note of caution, but making it effective on the ground will deal a body blow to various sectors of the economy. The ban on international air travel that was extended after this outbreak was reported has not yet been revoked. International flights still have to operate air bubbles as many countries have reported fresh cases, with the aviation and hospitality sectors expected to take the hit. Even train services were restored to the pre-Covid level only recently.

With elections to five Assemblies at hand, the observation that there is a need for ‘profound caution’ can hardly be disagreed with. It had taken a lot of effort to hold elections to the Assemblies in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in March-April, with detailed guidelines being issued to hold safe electioneering by the Election Commission of India, which has the responsibility of enforcing regulations. It will require similar coordination on the part of the administrative machinery to ensure that the democratic exercise is carried out smoothly this time too. With Christmas and New Year approaching, concerns are being voiced over the festivities aiding the possible spread of infection. What all this underlines is that prevention remains the best bet even as virus mutations keep rendering us susceptible to the disease. The push to the vaccination drive along with the testing and tracing protocol followed by states and the advocacy of Covid-appropriate behavior point out the need for adopting strict safeguards to keep the virus at bay amid the celebrations. Omicron is as much about the fatal nature of the disease as about the need to safeguard livelihoods and economic activities.

(Tribune, India)