The Govt has a tough choice: To instantly curb festivities or wait to know more about Omicron?
The year-end festivities generally begin on December 15 and last till January 5 in the new year. Globally, the travel, tourism, hospitality and entertainment industries rake in their maximum revenues in this period. The high streets in world capitals turn night into day as millions of tourists shop and window-dress. Is Omicron about to put a dampener on the celebrations this year? Looks likely. Governments across the world are planning to put a brake on the year-end events citing three factors. One, though not much is known about the new Coronavirus mutant’s infective abilities, it is clear that it is more easily transmissible, with a greater risk of re-infection than Delta. Two, nearly all the Omicron cases in the world are linked to travel. Three, since Omicron affects people irrespective of their vaccination status, gatherings in large numbers are a clear invitation to the infection. The Governments’ cautious approach is justified after the bitter Delta experience. Incoming tourists are a trickle in Israel and Japan. Christmas shopping in Berlin and Munich in Germany may not happen on a large scale this year. Brazil has already stopped mass gathering in this season. The famous December 31 celebration on Copacabana beaches stands cancelled. The American authorities have called off one of the spectacular fireworks shows in Baltimore. And, in New York, only the fully vaccinated can come to Times Square to watch the ball drop on New Year’s eve.
In India, Odisha became the first State to ban people from gathering in hotels and clubs and other public places on December 31 and January 1. The question before the world Governments is whether to stop international travel to contain the spread of Omicron. They can test and trace Omicron positive cases coming in, but the risk of more such cases travelling by air cannot be ruled out. Scientists should advice on a travel option that minimises the risk. Flights from high-risk countries pose the biggest problem. There will come a point when two things will happen simultaneously: More and more cases will be detected at airports while they contribute to increased re-infections among the general population. This is the classic introduction to a wave that must be avoided at all costs. The UK, without any restrictions as of date, is facing the risk of a major wave this January, according to scientists. Vaccinations and booster shots will only help reduce the risk of death, but once hospitalisations stress the health care infrastructure, things can go awry. The Indian Government has a tough call to make. Should it wait till more is known about Omicron or announce festive season restrictions right away? Already, there is mounting fear of advance tourist bookings being cancelled, people seeking refunds of foreign package trips and doubts about people reserving their tables at restaurants. The tourism and hospitality industries that took a severe hit last year are only now beginning to revive. Omicron has the potential to crush their hopes this year.