Public health experts have suggested measures such as social media campaigns with messages from doctors and regulation of public transport “to avoid crowding” during Durga Puja.

They were speaking at an online meeting on Monday evening. “We are right in the middle of a major crisis, and after the Puja, a tsunami-like health emergency may occur unless we can avoid crowding at any cost,” said Hiralal Konar, a convenor of the joint platform of doctors, at the meeting.

“The Puja is only days away. If pandal-hopping happens like earlier years, it will be suicidal,” said Dulal Bose, a physician and former sheriff of Calcutta at the beginning of the meeting.

Most agreed that restrictions like wearing masks or using sanitisers will be ignored if huge crowds hit the roads together. Every year, millions visit city pandals during the Puja. Visitors often have to wait for hours in long queues with hardly any space between two persons.

Manash Gumta, a physician associated with government health services, pointed out that the public health infrastructure was under severe stress and the situation might spin out of control if the number of Covid patients suddenly jumped after Puja.

Cardiac surgeon Kunal Sarkar underlined the warning, saying availability of beds had already shrunk in most hospitals, particularly at private hospitals. He warned the virus would spiral out of control if there was any gathering of more than 20 to 25 people in an enclosed area.

“Many come to the city from outside to see pujas. Suburban trains should not start before the Puja and public transport needs to be regulated so people cannot come to the city in huge numbers during the Puja.” said Arunabha Majumdar, a public health specialist and former director at the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health.

Ajay Sarkar, a physician leading the Covid unit at a private hospital, observed that apart from discouraging thousands who were planning to visit pujas on foot, pandal-hopping in packed cars needs to be avoided.

“The only way to drum up sense is to circulate messages from doctors combined with targeted social media campaign,” observed academic Sukanta Chaudhuri. “The clubs and local police should coordinate to avoid major crowding,” said Sandhi Mukherjee, a retired police officer.

“It’s preferable not to play the microphones as far as possible, because if microphones blare, people will have to speak loudly to be heard, which, in turn, may increase release of viruses,” said Krishnajyoti Goswami, a public health expert.

“We will soon write to the chief minister to share the suggestions and will urge her to see that crowding during Puja is avoided at any cost,” said social activist Naba Dutta.