36% Indians Plan To Socialise In Festivals, Sparks Fear Of COVID-19 Spread

After months of restricted movement and limited socialising, about 36% Indians plan to meet friends and family during the festive season, according to the findings of a survey by LocalCircles.

23% people want to visit close family, friends

LocalCircles, a community social media platform, received 28,000 responses from over 226 districts of India. The study gauged consumer interest in socialising in the months of October and November, with 3% respondents saying they will attend neighbourhood events, and another 3% saying they would attend private get-togethers or parties. About 23% said they will visit and have over close family and friends. Meanwhile 7% said they will do all of the above.

Inhouse

It is widely known that October-November, popularly known as the festive months mark the starting of festivals like Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra and finally Diwali, most exciting time of the year for the Indians.

Festive season may lead to virus spread

This, the survey said, could lead to a spread in the infection even as a significant 51% said they will not socialise at all.

For instance, in early September, residents of Kerala became quite careless during the Onam festival celebrations which resulted in a huge surge in the coronavirus cases rising from 4,000 a day to over 10,000 cases a day. This led to the Kerala government invoking section 144 and banning the assembly of more than five people across the state for the entire month of October.

People who have been confined at home for the last many months due to the pandemic, might now decide to step out and socialise, given the high spirits and positive sentiment that this time of the year brings with it, LocalCircles said.

63% to take precautions & socialise

Of those surveyed, 63% said they plan to take precautions and socialise, and 7% said it has been a tough year socially for them and their family and the festival season is likely to bring some cheer. About 10% said they will socialise because of peer and familial pressure.

Inhouse

The fifth phase of India¡¯s unlocking the economy has improved mobility in the country despite the surge in COVID-19 cases which is likely to accelerate during the festival season.

Health ministry says plan event accordingly

The health ministry has also issued guidelines for the festive season asking people to adhere to social distancing norms and directed organisers to ensure appropriate safety measures at large festive gatherings.

¡°In case of events that go on for days or weeks, the crowd density doesn¡¯t remain the same throughout and usually peaks around certain hours of the day and some auspicious days. Planning the event should specifically factor this so that crowds are regulated and physical distance and frequent sanitisation are ensured," the health ministry said in its guidelines.