BHOPAL: Even as people shun wearing masks at public places, government offices, banks, malls, upmarket hotels and restaurants and private schools are the only few places where entry without a mask is still difficult. But, here too, compulsion of masks is normally limited at the gate at least for the staff in offices and banks etc, and once they are in, majority of them pull the mask down to their chin or take them off completely.
An officer in the Mantralaya, when asked whether they are still wearing masks, said, “People often come to the office wearing masks but once in, they tie it to their chin. Yes, when they are called in the chamber of a principal secretary or any other higher official, they put on the mask lest someone objects.”
Staff and customers in offices, banks, malls, restaurants and hotels are not as non-sparing as before if you are without wearing a mask but there are chances that he may ask about the mask and that’s why many visitors to these places keep a mask in their pocket and put it on when asked.
Receding fear of a third wave of Covid-19 and growing confidence following vaccination is obviously a major reason for people to give up masks, which they didn’t really use meticulously throughout the Covid-19 period except for a brief period after the second disastrous Covid-19 wave hit the city.
“I don’t wear a mask when I am driving my two-wheeler unlike the past. But when I go to a crowded place, I put it on. I feel particularly in this climate but when you are among people particularly those not known to you, I still don’t take risks,” said Rishabh Chaube, a professional. However, giving up Covid precaution in the festive season, when people are socialising more and going into a crowd may turn out to be a trigger for the virus to hit back, warn experts.
Festive spirit is back. You must have seen crowd during Navratri and only a few of them wore masks. Virus is still there, people can’t become oblivious to the precautions,” said a police officer, who was on duty at Bittan Market Dussehra Ground during Dussehra.
