COVID PASSPORT WOULD BE A PREREQUISITE FOR FUTURE TRAVEL

It is becoming evident that Covid immunisation would become an integral part of daily life and therefore it is essential that citizens must at the earliest get themselves vaccinated, even if the vaccine does not provide cent percent protection. In fact, in the future, for anyone to travel, not only internationally but also within the country, it would be a prerequisite to either undergo a Covid test or at least carry a document showing that the vaccines have been administered.

It is something similar to what is required to travel to most African countries where authorities insist that the passengers should be carrying a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Nearly four decades ago, travelers to India too had to face quarantine if certain types of vaccines were not shown on the medical card that was essential to carry along with the passport if the passenger was coming in from certain earmarked counties.

As far as Covid goes, the pandemic has taken the whole world in its sweep and therefore the vaccines or the proof of their being administered is going to be a must for travelers. Within India, the bureaucrats who frame the rules would also make it mandatory for anyone buying a train or bus ticket to produce the relevant document on demand by authorities while crossing the borders. Thus, like the Adhaar card, the certificate or the proof thereof would be required while undertaking any kind of journey.

It goes without saying that in the name of Covid, corruption would increase and poor migrants who travel to far parts of the country to make both ends meet would be bearing the brunt of unscrupulous elements. Therefore, the authorities must ensure that the rules that are finalized are realistic and not meant for the files to save the bureaucrats, rather than helping the ordinary citizen. The babus have a habit of putting all their negative energies into implementing actions instead of seeing the matter in a proper perspective.

It is going to be a monumental task for the Centre and the states to get so many people vaccinated, and the way things unfold, many may obtain certificates on payment of a bribe, without being actually vaccinated. These things must be looked into thoroughly to avoid any kind of harassment which was taking place even when the lockdown had been relaxed for so many months. Instead of checking people for wearing masks in market places, teams would hide in roadside corners and catch hold of unsuspecting people, not so much to fine them, but to extract money from them.

The Covid vaccine is important but it is necessary that people take precautions on their own by wearing masks and maintaining safe distances – a task difficult to do in an overpopulated country. Other than that, it is necessary to stay hydrated by consuming plenty of water or liquids. The fourth cardinal rule is to keep the house properly ventilated for at least a few hours. Covid has come to stay for the time being and shall continue to impact our lives till such time when a permanent remedy for it is discovered by medical scientists.