It is extremely disappointing to see that, as the number of deaths and cases due to Covid-19 continues to rise in the country, the general public continues to flout the rules and regulations of the lockdown as directed by the government.
The steady increase in the number of people, cars, rickshaws, and other vehicles on the roads on a day-to-day basis during the lockdown is a very worrying trend, and points to a population that, despite the grim circumstances, continues to defy directives that are literally a matter of life and death.
At a time when hospitals are overwhelmed, and there is a shortage of ICU beds, it is absolutely vital that the lockdown is as effectively carried out as possible. Yes, the law enforcement and other authorities concerned also have to play their part in making lockdown a success but, ultimately, the lockdown will be rendered inefficient if a significant number of people simply disregard it, which unfortunately seems to have become the case in the capital.
Health experts in the country have opined that this current wave of Covid-19 infections may have hit its peak in the first week of April, and that there is hope that the country’s situation improves by the middle of next month, but for that to be a reality, the strict lockdown directives have to be properly followed and implemented.
Sadly, given what we are currently seeing, it appears that we are a long way from properly implementing the lockdown. The onus is on the regulating authorities to stress the lockdown’s importance, but it is also time that the general public understand just how serious the situation is.