Follow COVID norms for safe Bonaalu, Bakrid: TS reminds devotees, organizers

Hyderabad: The Telangana director of public health (DPH) on Saturday issued an advisory in view of the ongoing Bonaalu festival and Bakrid. The DPH has asked devotees, organizers, and the general public who are participating in the festivals to follow the three essential principles to prevent COVID-19 infection - wearing masks, frequently sanitizing hands, and maintaining a physical distance.

"We must remember that huge gatherings like these triggered the second wave of COVID-19," said director of public health and family welfare Dr. G. Srinivas Rao, adding that people become careless during this season of festivals and weddings due to which they have to pay a heavy price later.

He further cautioned that the decline in COVID-19 cases has been slow in some parts of the state. "It's not over yet. These conditions are not favourable or encouraging for the COVID situation. Only following COVID-appropriate behaviour will help prevent the third wave," he said.

The DPH has cautioned that people who develop any suspected COVID symptoms like fever, cold, cough, headache, body pains, throat pain, and loss of taste/smell should immediately undergo isolation at home (even from other family members who don't have the symptoms), rush to the nearby testing centres for a COVID-19 test, and if COVID-positive consult a doctor for treatment.