With the easing in the lockdown that was imposed by the government in order to stop the spread of the second wave of COVID-19 in Kathmandu, things are coming back to normal.
However, the danger of the Delta variant of the virus still looms in the city.
Despite the danger of the coronavirus still existing streets have now become crowded with vehicles, shops are allowed to open as per the guidelines provided by the government and restaurants have been providing take-away services.
Even with the nation adopting the smart lockdown modality, Nepalis are still not safe as each day the number of COVID infected patients is still high and vaccines are still like a distant dream.
So the question that arises is will the relaxation in the lockdown lead to yet another wave of the COVID and economic doom in our country?
We all witnessed how the initial lockdown, which lasted for nearly a year, created an economic havoc with many businesses having to shut shop permanently and thousands losing their jobs.
And the sector that was hit really hard not only globally but in Nepal too was tourism and hospitality. Prior to the second prohibitory order being imposed, business in hotels and restaurants was just about getting back to normal but it all came crashing down as the government decided to again impose a prohibitory order to curb the second wave of the virus.
With the recent decision to ease the order the situation is looking much better now for restaurants and cafes as they are allowed home-delivery and take-away services.
However, as the ages-old adage goes, ‘Give an inch and they take a mile’, seems to have become a reality in Nepal.
The government has given permission to restaurants and cafes for online delivery or take-away service only, however, most of the places have been breaking the rules and many are allowing customers to dine in the restaurant itself.
With people being confined to their homes during the prohibitory order it is only natural for many to want to go out for meals. Moreover, today’s generation also prefers to eat out as it has become like a fashion statement. But is showing off really more important than your life and the lives of your loved ones? And even with the safety protocols, is it still safe to be in a room full of strangers?
During the second wave, Nepal witnessed a huge surge in the number of COVID-19 infections and many people lost their lives. And with the easing in the prohibitory order in the capital city there are chances that the nation could face another surge. So even after having witnessed a dire situation it still feels like many are not taking the situation seriously.
As of July 3, Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) reported 1,527 new cases of coronavirus infection in the country with 19 deaths. And the tally of infections has not dropped as expected. So, could this be the time to learn from our mistakes? If not we could all pay a big price, with many lives lost, and the economic downturn will also follow. As there are chances that the government will be forced to impose yet another lockdown?
Is going out to eat one time really worth staying in for yet another two months?
And with some of the restaurants letting customers in, what does this mean for those who have been following the guidelines?
Will one person throwing caution to the wind cause a big problem for all the others? Should all be affected because of the callousness of one? It is about time we all realise what our priority is. With vaccines still unavailable and not enough medical support, Nepal could be heading for another COVID-induced disaster. The danger is not over yet, and carelessness can lead the nation towards chaos again, both social and economic.
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