Cases spiral, but many drop guard; masks, social distancing miss in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: With lockdown norms being eased considerably, residents have thrown caution to the wind.
Groups of people can still be seen without masks or ignoring social distancing norms at public spaces even as the state’s Covid-19 cases increase steadily.
On Tuesday, despite the showers, locals still flocked to the streets around Tank Bund. One group could be seen posing for selfies without anyone wearing masks. Wary passers-by say this is a common sight. “I was passing by Necklace Road on my two-wheeler on Sunday. Being the weekend, there were several people sitting together as if on a picnic near People’s Plaza,” said R Revathi, a resident of Himayathnagar.
The problem is apparent across the city. Anil Gupta, a resident of Yapral, said: “There are at least 70 to 80 people who come to the ground next to Valerian Grammar school every evening. Many come there on bikes with three to four people per vehicle. At a time when there is a pandemic, social distancing norms are not being followed.”
Gupta added that residents fear confronting youngsters as many get into an altercation. “Many of them have a mob mentality and get aggressive when asked to follow rules,” he said. Gupta added simple steps like police vehicles making rounds of open spaces could keep a check on public behaviour in these times.
Activist Vinay Vangala said: “Matrusrinagar in Miyapur has recorded five corona positive cases. Despite this, there has been no change in behaviour. People without masks can be seen playing badminton on the roads early morning and senior citizens are out irrespective of the danger to their health. Lack of traffic on internal roads has made it even more easy for people to get out.”
Vangala said that he has also contacted Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials and cops in this regard, but has not received a proper response.