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Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 2 (EMN): It’s been more than a year since the world was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic but the challenges of the new normal remain as citizens can be seen defying the standard operating procedures (SOPs), including not wearing face masks.
Citizens of the state capital, Kohima, spoke to Eastern Mirror on rampant flouting of SOPs and guidelines issued by the government.
Most people, who were spotted without face masks on Tuesday, cited reasons like 'uneasiness' and 'discomfort’ and ‘not being used to wearing masks’ for not adhering to the government advisories though they maintained that Covid-19 is ‘not gone yet’.
Many shops and stores in Kohima have either done away with thermal screening machines and sanitisation chambers or its employees stopped wearing face masks.
"Often, I forget to put on masks and I am also least bothered since many people around and on streets were not wearing their masks," said a shop keeper.
Interestingly, many have adopted a lackadaisical attitude, and even worse, some even stated that 'Covid-19 is a myth and a propaganda,' despite the whole world still battling the disease since it broke out more a year ago.
On the other hand, some citizens expressed hope that the Covid-19 pandemic situation would also get better with the vaccination drive having begun in the state.
“Life unlike last year is retreating to normal, with lifting of restrictions and vaccination that is here,” said Atolu, a homemaker. She exuded confidence that things would be back to normal while maintaining that her family still follows all safety rules and measures -- washing hands, sanitising and eating healthy food.
Meanwhile, the department of Health and Family Welfare, in its daily updates, had advised the public to adhere to the government's advisories. It also warned to avoid crowded places, close contact settings and confined enclosed spaces besides continuing to wear masks, wash hands and watch distance.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had recently hinted at the pandemic going beyond 2021.
"I think it will be very premature, and I think unrealistic, to think that we're going to finish with this virus by the end of the year," Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, had reportedly stated in a press conference on Monday.