Political rallies to markets: People go mask-less even as Covid cases surge

Even as political rallies and protests see Covid caution thrown to the winds, even in their normal lives, people seem to be getting lax about wearing masks and observing other coronavirus-related rules.

Updated: March 25, 2021 16:35 IST

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The COVID tally in Bengal rose from 283 cases on Sunday to 323 cases on Thursday before settling at 290 on Friday. With people getting lax about COVID rules amid elections, many fear a surge in cases. (Express photo by Shashi Ghosh)

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At Arvind Kejriwal's Moga event Sunday, while AAP workers were seen distributing customised ‘AAP’ masks and sanitisers at the entrance points of the venue, very few sitting in the pandal were seen wearing them. There was no social distancing as thousands sat close together to listen to Kejriwal’s speech. (Express photo by Harmeet Sodhi)

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People roaming without masks are tested on spot for COVID-19 at Shimlapuri in Ludhiana on Saturday. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

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Healthworkers take swab samples of people who were violating COVID-19 norms in Patiala on Monday. (Express photo by Harmeet Sodhi)

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An offence was registered against BJP’s Maharashtra unit chief Chandrakant Patil and at least 50 other party workers under charges of unlawful assembly and violation of COVID safety norms in connection with a protest held by them Sunday, seeking resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. (Twitter- BJP Maharashtra)

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Few masks were to be seen in the crowd gathered to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a BJP rally in West Midnapore’s Kharagpur. (BJP Bengal)

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Massive number of Congress supporters, with few wearing masks, at Bordowa Nagaon (Batadrava assembly) on the second day of Priyanka Gandhi's election campaign in Assam. (AICC)