“Tourists, pilgrimage can wait” says IMA warning of an ‘inevitable’ third wave of COVID-19

It said that mass gatherings of unvaccinated people can turn into super spreader events thereby leading to the third wave of COVID-19 infections.

Calling the third wave of coronavirus “inevitable and imminent,” the Indian Medical Association(IMA) expressed concern over mass gatherings being allowed across the country that were violating the COVID appropriate protocols. The IMA appealed to all state governments to not lower the guard against the pandemic and to strictly enforce COVID-appropriate behaviour for at least three more months.

In a press release issued by IMA’s national president Dr J A Jayalal and Secretary General Dr Jayesh M. Lele, said that the country had just walked out of the second wave under the leadership of PM Modi and through the efforts of the Modern Medical fraternity.

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“Tourist bonanza, pilgrimage travel, religious fervour are all needed, but can wait for a few more months,” the letter read.

It said that mass gatherings of unvaccinated people can turn into super spreader events thereby leading to the third wave of COVID-19 infections. Emphasising the importance of vaccination, the IMA informed that the experience of the past 1.5 years and emerging evidence makes it clear that universal vaccination can mitigate the impact of a potential third wave.

The letter concluded with an appeal to all state governments “to translate the vision of Honourable Prime Minister ji and control any mass gatherings in the state.”

Notably, a huge crowd of tourists at various hill stations in the country has raised concerns among experts on the possibility of another rise in COVID-19 cases. Mussoorie’s district administration recently imposed restrictions on tourists after a video of a large number of mask less tourists bathing at the Kempty falls went viral on social media.