Unlok 1.0 : Live with novel Coronavirus

India has completed 68 days under lockdown, officially Lockdown 5.0 started from 1 June, 2020, the economy and ordinary life are returning in normalcy in a controlled and phased manner through the ease of restrictions. It is first step to unlock (Unlock 1.0). Lockdown resulted two major things -

1. Numbers of COVID-19 cases are lower with respect to population.

2. Economic Crisis - Increasing Unemployment, Decreasing Production, Lower Demand, Badly affected Stock Market.

For beginning of a new normal life, government started various economic reform packages under Atmanirbhar Bharat, starting various activities from 8 June, 2020. Expert and Officials are suggesting that "We must learn to live with the Virus".

According to Prof. Vijay Raghavan  (Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India) - "Either we must change the virus, or we must change ourselves; changing the virus is going to take time".

Experts views for live with novel Coronavirus :

* Wearing a Mask is important to practice good respiratory hygiene for you and people. Why ? It protects from tiny droplets of saliva spread virus from you and People. Disposal of used tissue immediately is also a good respiratory hygiene.

* Hand wash regularly and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. Or Clean hands with sanitizer that contain at least 60% alcohol. Why ? These practices maybe kills virus on hands.

* Maintain social distancing at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others in markets, offices and public transport. Why ? Mostly infection happens through direct contact or inhaling the droplet shed by an infected person. Droplets can travel about a meter from infected person. "Young people can asymptomatic and they can infect the elderly. Hence, we need to take special care to maintain physical distancing, particularly with the vulnerable like elderly, those who are I'll in multiple way.

* Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth without proper hand wash. Why ? Infected hand can transfer virus in your body through eyes, nose and mouth and infect you.

* Stay at Home & Self Isolation even with minor symptoms such as Cough, headache, mild- fever until recovered. Why ? Avoiding contact with other will protect them from possible covid-19 and other viruses.

* Avoid going to crowded places. Why ? It is more difficult to maintain physical distance of 3 feet and more possiblity of close contact with COVID-19.

* Updated with latest information from authentic sources, such as local and national health authorities or WHO. Why ? Local and National authorities are  best place to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guideline for Unlock 1.0 :

 Disaster Management Act 2005, remain in force upto 30 June, 2020, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has ordered to extend the Lockdown in Containment Zone upto 30 June, 2020, and to reopen prohibited activities in a phased manner in areas outside containment zones.

Guidelines for Re-opening in 3 phases (Unlock 1.0) :

Area outside Containment Zones, Re-opening through Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in a phased manner :

Phase 1 : Allow activities will effects from 8 June, 2020;

* Religious places / places of worship for public.

* Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services.

* Shopping malls

With some new rules & regulation.

Phase 2 : 

School, college educational/ training/ coaching Institutions will be open after consultation with States and UTs, State government / UT administration may hold consultations at the institutions level with parents and other stakeholders. Reopening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July 2020 based on their feedbacks.

Phase 3 :

Re-starting following activities based on situations -

* International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

* Metro Rail

* Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatre, bars, assembly halls and seminar places.
* Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations.

For Phase 1 : Government issues Guideline -
*At Work place -+Face cover/mask mandatory.
+Hand sanitizers mandatory at the entrance.
+Only asymptomatic staff / visitor allowed.
+Staggering of office hours as far as feasible.
*At Religious Places -
+Maintained minimum 6 feet distance.
+Face covers / masks mandatory.
+Touching idols prohibited.
+Only asymptomatic person allowed.
+Floor to be cleaned multiple time.
+Large gatherings prohibited.
+No physical offering (prasad) allowed.
*At Restaurants -
+Hand hygiene.
+Thermal scanning must at entrance.
+Minimum physical distance six feet.
+Only asymptomatic staff, patrons allowed.
+Face covers/masks mandatory for staff, patrons.
+Take away to be encouraged.
+Only 50% seating capacity permitted.
+Disposable menu advised.
+Disposable paper napkin encouraged.

Challenges of Unlock 1.0 :

India's unlock 1.0 started, when COVID-19 infection increasing at higher rate.

Economic Challenges :
* Strictly lockdown has increased unemployment rate approx 27.12%.
* Most of the industry located in urban area but labours are migrated from urban to rural. Lack of  labours.
* According to Index of Industrial Production (IIP) - Industrial production fell by 16.7% in March. Almost all industries are affected.
* Stock Market has tumbled.
* Demand of goods and services is low.
* Poverty level is increasing.

Health Challenges :
* There is increased fear, stress and apprehension among society due to mortality and morbidity resulting from the covid-19 pandemic.
* Lower testing rate with respect to population.
* Lack of skilled healthcare worker.
* Lack of AI-technology-based healthcare system.
* The Public Health Care System is not equipped with intensive care Unit and ventilators, pathology and clinical laboratories, surgical instruments with sufficient medical and paramedical forces.

Lifestyle Challenges :
* Adapting new lifestyle/behavioural changes is a big challenge.
* Irregular lifestyle is affecting the integrity of the immune system and increase the risk for infections.
* Risk of behaviour like smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet and inadequate physical activities.
* Increasing lifestyle diseases such as cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, chronic lung diseases and mental health disorders etc.
* Stay at Home is increasing domestic violence.

Political Challenges :
* Political parties blaming to each other. Lack of unity among political party to fight against COVID-19.
* Poor Cooperation and Coordination between Centre and States or between States.
* Mass gathering by some politicians during COVID-19 Crisis.
* Violation of laws by Politicians.

Government Initiative for Live with Coronavirus (Unlock 1.0) :

* The Government has come up with the Digital Platform, it is called covidwarriors.gov.in. By this medium, the government has linked volunteers of social organisations, representative of civil society and local administration with each other. These people are of immense help at the local level in preparing crisis management plans and implementing them.

* 'Lifeline Udan' is campaign started by government for ensuring supply of medicines to every corner of the country.

* Indian Railway is playing big role for displacing migrant workers (Shramik Express) and ensuring medical supplies (Parcel Trains).

* Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKY) - Transfer money directly into the accounts of the poor. Old age pension has been started.

* Atma Nirbhar Bharat - Prime Minister announced economic stimulus - worth Rs. 20 lakh Crore aimed towards the achieving the mission. This mission for 'Vocal about Local'.

* Recently issued Ordinance protect Medical Services personnel from violence against them.

* Government started digital campaign to the importance of Ayurveda and Yoga.

* Aarogya Setu App - The Government of India has launched a mobile app developed in public private partnership to bring the people of India together in a resolute fight against covid-19.

Way Forward :

* Technology is novel way to reduce infection rate.
* Work from home.
* Mobile testing available.
* Using Telemedicine.
* Boost E-commerce.
* Use Digital payment system. (Phone Pe, Paytm, BHIM, apps).
* Practice good hygiene
* Do regular Yoga, especially respiratory Yoga like as Pranayam, Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Anulom vilom Pranayam.
* Adapted traditional food system of India to fight against COVID-19.
* It is necessary to provide all precaution regarding infection prevention and management are taken for returning migrant worker to their respective home States.
* Provide jobs for migrant workers in their own States.
* More action & additional efforts are require to increase the doubling time of cases.
In true sense, India fight against novel Coronavirus is people-driven. Each and every person is a soldier in this battle. The entire country is marching ahead together in the same direction, towards a single common Objective.
" Do Gaz Doori, Bahut Hai Zaroori" or "Maintain a distance of two yards and keep yourself healthy !"
Wishing all of You the Best of Health.
                       

References
PIB
YOJANA
E-BOOK