Durga Puja is one of the biggest and grandest festivals in the world. Its intricate temple architecture (the pandals), the giant, resplendent idols, the multi-splendored décor and ingenious illumination, and most importantly, the spontaneous people’s participation, makes the Pujas a very unique tapestry of refined aesthetics and gay abandon.

It’s that time of the year when we would like to press the pause button on our hectic, humdrum schedule, forget our troubles for a while and live a bit. It’s time to relax with family and friends, sumptuous meals, endless adda sessions, and of course, pandal-hopping. Unfortunately, the raging pandemic had cast a damper on pandal-hopping last year and the big-ticket Pujas around Kolkata were a low-key affair. True, we are in a much better space this Pujas in terms of Covid-control, but we mustn’t make the mistake of letting our guard down. The Pujas will be the litmus test in our fight against the pandemic. And the outcome entirely hinges on how responsibly we can behave, specially while outdoors.

What can we do to stay safe during the Pujas?

Although the risk of infection is much lower outdoors compared to indoor spaces, we can’t lose sight of the fact that the virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets released from an infected person through coughing, sneezing or talking, which can infiltrate the mouth, nose or eyes of people in close proximity. You can also get infected by touching your mouth, nose or eyes, after touching surfaces which are contaminated with the virus.

If you are fully vaccinated, you have already taken a big step towards keeping yourself and others safe. However, no COVID-19 vaccine provides 100 per cent protection, and instances of breakthrough infection are many. Hence, you will still need to stay vigilant and act responsibly if you are going outdoors for pandal-hopping or just a hearty meal with your near and dear ones. It’s important to take informed decisions to minimize risk involved in stepping outdoors for you and your family.

In our context, it’s still recommended to continue taking precautions like physical distancing, wearing a mask, frequent hand-washing and looking out for any COVID-19 symptoms before stepping out.

Some simple steps can help minimize risk of exposure to the virus

• If you plan to go out during the Pujas, try to avoid peak hours and very crowded settings. If possible, take less congested routes.
• Don’t forget to carry a hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol, disinfecting wipes, tissues and extra face masks.
• You must ensure that all family members/friends are feeling well and don’t have symptoms.
• Remember to stay at least one metre away from others, to wear a mask when close to people outside your household, do not touch your face (eyes, nose, mouth) or the mask surface, and frequently wash or sanitize your hands.
• If you are planning for a meal outside, choose an outdoor setting if possible, and remember to wash or sanitize your hands before eating. Take-out is always a safer option than eating indoors.
• On returning home, first wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Try to use the toilet before leaving home and try to avoid using public ones, as those could be crowded.

So, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the Pujas while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from the virus. All you need is to stay alert and behave responsibly individually and in a group. The simple safeguards listed above should enable you to have a great time outdoors during the festive days without compromising on safety. We can also seek solace in the fact that the World Health Organization does not currently consider airborne transmission to be a primary mode of transmission for the general public. Happy Pujas…