The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the country is being exacerbated by the public’s stubborn refusal to follow health guidelines while indoors.
Despite fresh instructions from the government to stop social, cultural, and religious gatherings to combat the pandemic, many people continue to organize social events within the confines of their homes. Small parties, corporate events, and even weddings have been unimpeded by the restrictions.
Health experts have said indoor gatherings are even more conducive to Covid-19 transmission than outdoor gatherings, as contaminated air does not dissipate as easily.
Furthermore, people are more willing to lower their masks and breach distancing guidelines around people they trust in familiar spaces.
False sense of security indoors
Farhana Hamid, an employee of a private bank, said she feels comfortable unmasking herself in her office because she is among people she knows.
“It is a trusted place and we have a very friendly policy when employees fall sick, especially if they have contracted Covid-19. At the same time, it is difficult to control the urge to show or see faces when speaking with a known person,” she added.
Farhana Hamid contracted Covid once, in July 2021.
According to a report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transmission of Covid-19 can occur at distances greater than six feet through the air.
Particles from an infected person can also linger in the air after the person has left the room, remaining airborne for several hours in some cases.
Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) advisor Mushtaq Hussain said indoor environments can pose a greater risk of Covid-19 infection than outdoor environments, depending on the circumstances.
“A virus like the coronavirus ultimately dissipates in open air. While indoors, the virus is contained by walls and other barriers. That is why it is advisable to always maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing and wear masks. If possible, avoid indoor crowds altogether,” he added.
The inauguration of the Ekushey Book Fair, which is traditionally outdoors, has been postponed by two weeks due to the recent spike in cases. However, the International Trade Fair, which is being organized in an indoor space at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal, is continuing at full pace.
Mushtaq Hussain said: “Indoor events should be discouraged, but there is no harm if adequate distancing and other safety measures are ensured. But people don’t want to follow these regulations and so a lockdown seems inevitable.”
He also said he believes Omicron will eventually take over from Delta as the dominant coronavirus variant in the country.
Ventilation of indoor places of utmost importance
Officials of top event management firms and other stakeholders in the industry said people are more interested in arranging small programs indoors than in extravagant outdoor programs as before the pandemic.
Although this has led to the number of people attending the programs being reduced, they are often crammed into small spaces where social distancing is nearly impossible.
Sabbir Arafat, co-founder and chief photographer of Snaps Art, said: “I can tell by counting how many outdoor events I covered in the last six months. Clients, including corporations, are more interested in indoor events than outdoors.”
One way to reduce the risk of Covid transmission in such enclosed spaces is by ensuring free flow of air through proper ventilation.
Dr Md Abdus Salam, professor of chemistry at Dhaka University, said the characteristics and operation of viruses does not change based on the location.
“Viruses have uniform characteristics. What changes is that infectious agents are more concentrated in indoor spaces. Thus, they stay around longer and get a hospitable environment to attack our respiratory system,” he added.
Regarding recent research by the University of Bristol, which claims the coronavirus loses 90% of its ability to infect after being airborne for five minutes, the professor said the study is still new and up for debate.
“In any case, people should stay informed and try to avoid indoor crowds,” he said.
“Proper ventilation systems need to be ensured, such as by installing functioning exhaust fans, so that contaminated air can dissipate. In closed areas, devices like air purifiers and dehumidifiers may be used to decontaminate the air,” Dr Salam added.