Open house: What precautions can an individual take to stay safe from the coronavirus?

It is heartening to see aware citizens wearing masks in public places and keeping pocket sanitisers. That’s the way to beat Covid. Awareness and responsibility will help us overcome the renewed threat of Covid.

Sapna Sharda, Chandigarh

QUESTION

Heavy rain led to waterlogging in the city despite the MC’s claims on cleaning road gullies. Apart from cleaning road gullies, what steps should be taken to be better prepared for monsoon?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com

Make vaccination compulsory

The need of the hour is to follow the guidelines such as keeping social distance, wearing masks in public and frequently sanitising hands. It is also high time the tricity authorities made full vaccination compulsory, including the booster dose, for residents. The pandemic has affected common man financially, physically and mentally, and more restrictions will be counter-productive.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

Need for proactive approach

People must get fully vaccinated. Those who have been vaccinated must also go for a booster dose at the earliest. Children must also be vaccinated at the earliest. Wearing masks in public places and keeping social distance should be mandatory. Stop giving public services to people visiting offices without mask. A proactive approach has to be taken by residents to prevent a repeat of the situation experienced in the first and second waves of the pandemic.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd), Mohali

Enforce Covid guidelines

The Chandigarh Administration is still not serious about the rising Covid-19 cases. Social distancing should be ensured at testing centres. Only one attendant should be allowed with a patient at hospitals. The Covid guidelines must be enforced strictly and masks made compulsory for all travellers. There is no need to lock the stable when the horse is stolen.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Take booster dose, follow norms

The spread of infection is not so fast this time because a majority of population has been vaccinated. As the safety norms such as wearing masks in public places, keeping social distance and maintaining hand hygiene are well known, following them is in the hands of every individual. Those, who are still vulnerable by not taking the booster dose, must sincerely follow the guidelines. The authorities concerned should ensure the availability of various vaccines at every outlet.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Don’t take virus spread lightly

People should be encouraged to take the booster dose as well. The use of masks in public places should be made compulsory. Keeping social distance and frequently washing hands with soap or sanitisers is a nice habit and should be continued. It is a fatal disease and should never be taken lightly.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Wake-up call for authorities

The resurgence of Covid is due to carelessness on the part of the public as well as the apathy of the authorities concerned. Masks are off and social distancing has gone for a toss. The authorities should wake up in time and take effective steps. Entry to markets and public places should be regulated and only visitors wearing masks allowed there. Public parks, lakes and zoos be kept close at least two days in a week and rallies banned temporarily. The public should play its role in curbing the spread by following the Covid protocol.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

Ramp up testing

According to experts, the disease is slowly changing from a pandemic to an endemic. However, the disease need not be taken lightly. People must practise social distancing and cover the face when in a public place. The eligible citizens must take the precautionary dose. The administration should ramp up testing. All these measures will help contain the spread of the virus.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Allow staff to work from home

Individuals should get jabbed against the virus and follow the protocol. People should wear masks properly. Shops, offices, banks, tourist places and public transport need to be sanitised properly and regularly. Offices and educational institutions can allow staff to work from home or can function with a 50% capacity for the time being.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Don’t touch surfaces in public places

We all need to be extra vigilant in public places. We should wear a properly fitted mask. Don’t touch surfaces in public places. Political rallies and gatherings must be banned by the administration. Clean hands frequently with alcohol-based sanitisers and soap. We must regularly check Covid updates by the WHO.

Anita K Tandon, Kharar

Stay safe, stay healthy

Don’t go out unless necessary and avoid community functions. The administration should make residents aware of the Covid protocol. If someone does not pay heed to the instructions issued by the administration from time to time, he or she should be punished by the police. Stay safe, stay healthy.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Re-embrace all safety measures

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, people should re-embrace all safety measures, including using masks, frequently washing hands, avoiding physical contact, keeping social distance and sanitising things before use. The government should promote work from home wherever possible. The vaccination drive must be stepped up and the Covid protocol enforced strictly.

Manveer Kaur, Chandigarh

Three years on, no lessons learnt

It has been almost three years since the Covid outbreak in the country, but we have learnt no lessons yet. Covid-appropriate behaviour must be followed at all places. Each one of us must take the responsibility of containing the virus spread. The administration alone cannot make a big difference.

Garv Bhupesh, Panchkula

Encourage others to have healthy habits

We need to make sure that all adults at home and around us are properly vaccinated. People must follow corona-appropriate behaviour when in public and encourage others for the same. Healthy habits of each one of us will make a healthy society for all of us to live in.

Anju Mohan, Panchkula

Don’t lower guard

The spike in cases in the tricity has made us realise that a Covid-free society is still a distant reality. People should act responsibly and get their second as well as booster dose at the earliest. The administration has to be vigilant and keep sensitising people to the need for containing the spread of the virus. Crowding of public places such as markets, malls, gardens, etc, should be prevented. No one knows much about the virus, so we have to remain vigilant and should not lower our guard at any cost.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

No room for carelessness

Carelessness shown by people has once again led to a spike in Covid-19 cases in UT. To tackle this situation, the administration should strictly enforce the guidelines and take stringent action against violators. People must sincerely follow the Covid protocol such as avoiding crowded places, wearing masks properly and sanitising hands frequently. We must spread awareness to contain the Covid surge.

Sandeep Rawat, Chandigarh

Conduct special cleanliness drive

The authorities must ensure citizens follow instructions given from time to time and the latter must follow the Covid protocol, especially in crowded places such as lake, markets, malls and banquet halls. All hotels, offices (private or government), schools, colleges and marriage palaces must provide sanitisers to visitors. The Health Department should hold special cleanliness drives. We all must cooperate to achieve the zero-case target.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

Enforce guidelines, penalise violators

There is an overall slackness among public when it comes to observing the Covid protocol — wearing masks, keeping distance and maintaining hygiene. The Covid norms are not being enforced at public places, thus putting residents in a quandary. The Chandigarh Administration needs to seriously check violations of these norms and penalise violators.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

Upgrade health infrastructure

It seems everyone is careless this time. The administration should put a cap on the number of persons in public places and keep places attracting crowds closed at least once a week, especially on weekends. There is a need to upgrade health infrastructure and provide sector-wise first-aid facilities. The administration should start distribution of sanitisers among public and conduct random checks to ensure people follow the Covid guidelines.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh