As festivals create crowds, experts warn complacency could lead to spike in cases

Upcoming Dashain means increased travel of people from cities and other countries to the districts. Health Ministry has directed measures to prevent new outbreaks.

As the festive season is just round the corner, with Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain, five days away, Kathmandu and other cities are seeing an increased mobility of people. Almost everything has reopened since September 1 and people are in a festive mood. With a steady decline in Covid-19 cases of late, complacency seems to have taken hold. Authorities have cautioned people to strictly follow health protocols, but there is a lack of implementation. Public health experts say increased mobility and festive gatherings could lead to a sudden spike in coronavirus cases. And the major culprit can be the Delta variant.