Notwithstanding the marked ‘differences of opinion’ in bureaucracy that preceded the arrival to the decision regarding imposition of a full-scale lockdown in the state capital, for denizens as well as administration, the next seven days starting Monday will be an acid test. At the moment, the state capital is the most Covid-affected place in Arunachal Pradesh and the observation by the DC in the letter he sent to the CS seeking approval for a complete 7-day lockdown that “denizens are not cooperating with the DA and Police which may be one of the major reasons for rise of COVID-19 cases,” is a correct assessment of the ground realities. However, despite the steady increase of positivity rate in the ICC for the last few weeks which is now nearly 10% with daily marginal variations and almost all wards and sectors witnessing a surge in cases, the decision takers in the administration have felt that an opportunity may be given to the denizens for a self-correction of their Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

Not only Arunachal Pradesh or its capital, that the tendency to disobey Covid protocols is now a new ‘infection’ that has made a permanent habitat in people’s mindset. Finding that all Laxman Rekhas are being overstepped, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday has alerted the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Goa and West Bengal that their tourist spots now thronged by thousands are going to be the origins of super spreads in no time. The message the MHA gave to these states was a clear-cut one-  there shouldn’t be any compromise when it comes to adherence to all the prescribed protocols- strictly ‘all protocols’ and there is no room for an order of importance or selection. This is exactly that has happened in the ICC. A citizen may argue that he/she hasn’t lowered the mask even for a second, then why the surge? Definitely, the degree of obedience in the other parameters such as social distancing and individual hygiene have been compromised and the ‘mix’ comprising people’s carelessness and the Delta variant’s alarming capacity of transmission has taken the ICC to the edge. It’s only after a comprehensive vaccination coverage (both doses strictly), the long-awaited herd immunity can be expected.

But it’s a matter of at least more than a month and people’s response will make the difference during this defining period. They should remain grateful to the state administration for getting one more chance and must honour it accordingly. It’s also time for the police to get harsh with the errant citizens. If after July 18 the picture remains the same, there shouldn’t be any second thought for a lockdown.