The Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressed its disappointment on Sunday with the Kerala government’s decision to lift continuing lockdown restrictions for three days owing to Bakrid, despite the state’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis escalating.
The medical organisation also stated that it would approach the Supreme Court “if the state is not enforcing Covid-appropriate behaviour and becoming a model state to curb the developing threat of Covid, by reversing this judgement.”
In a press release, the IMA stated that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government’s decision to relax restrictions is “unwarranted and inappropriate at this time of medical emergency,” and called for the order to be immediately revoked and a zero-tolerance policy toward Covid-appropriate behaviour to be implemented. It also asked the administration not to diverge from its statutory obligation and aim of ensuring the state’s and country’s safety.
Kerala, one of India’s worst-affected states, has so far registered approximately 3.14 million Covid-19 infections and 15269 deaths as a result of the virus. The state registered 16148 new illnesses on Saturday, the greatest single-day increase in a month.
Due to Bakrid, which will be celebrated on July 20 or 21, the state government has granted a relaxation of lockdown restrictions on July 18, 19, and 20.
In a news release, the IMA stated that many states in north India, including Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, have banned traditional and popular pilgrimages and yatras, and that Kerala’s decision to relax restrictions that would allow for mass gatherings is sad. The Kanwar Yatra has been cancelled in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The IMA’s remark came barely a day after Union minister V Muraleedharan advised Kerala’s administration to properly handle the pandemic and impose a lockdown based on scientific evidence rather than reacting in a hasty manner.
“Now that Bakrid has arrived, the government has decided to lift the lockdown for three days. My recommendation is to take a scientific approach and follow the Government of India’s, ICMR’s, and WHO’s guidelines. On Saturday, Muraleedharan told news agency ANI that the pandemic should not be used to gain political advantage.
