Open AccessCOVID-19 Prevention Protocol for an Organised Mass Gathering-An Essential Requisite in Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Phase
Author(s) -
Sheen Job,
Mayank Kapoor,
Prasan Kumar Panda,
Latika Mohan,
RAVIKANT RAVIKANT
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2021/47856.14713
Subject(s) - mass gathering , pandemic , outbreak , transmission (telecommunications) , protocol (science) , covid-19 , medical emergency , hygiene , event (particle physics) , medicine , virology , disease , public health , computer science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , telecommunications , alternative medicine , nursing , physics , pathology , quantum mechanics
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has stirred up chaos in the whole world. After prolonged lockdowns, finally, society is opening again for business and day-to-day life. Mass gatherings are undoubtedly again expected to start, but carry additional risks for transmission of the virus. We designed a concept model that was validated in about 1000 people gathering in a convocation ceremony at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. A protocol was made, a risk assessment was done, and attendees followed-up. The emphasis on thermal screening, hand hygiene, physical distancing, open-air ventilation, refusing attendees having Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI), and other preventive measures were the means to contain the potential transmission in an organised mass gathering of this magnitude. The dictum “prevention is better than cure” held amidst this outbreak. As a result of this well-structured mass gathering, the event was quite successfully conducted. Further event planning in the COVID-19 scenario or other outbreaks of similar infections must be managed in this way for the prevention of spread.