People getting careless about face masks

RAWALPINDI:

Even as officials claim that the number of new novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases are falling in the district, registering just 20 new cases over the past 24 hours, residents of the garrison city have become careless about the precautionary guidelines and using face masks.

The condition of wearing facemasks has become only a formality for gaining entry to the public and private offices and other establishments, otherwise, people ignore this critical precaution against Covid-19, The Express Tribune learnt during a survey on Wednesday.

Many people were seen without a face mask at public spots on Wednesday. This included many buyers at the cattle markets.

With the imposition of smart lockdown, the Rawalpindi district administration had declared wearing of facemasks as mandatory when stepping out of homes and particularly at public spots.

However, the people seem to be reluctant in following these orders after the drop in existing cases and reporting of new infections.

The implementation of social distancing protocols has also become a thing of the past.

Health experts, however, have criticised this approach and said that the decline in the daily toll of positive cases was a positive sign. They added that it doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over yet.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2020.