Govt uses viral photo of crowded Kempty falls, asks, 'Isn't this an open invite to virus?'

Using a photo showing hundreds of tourists and revellers enjoying themselves at the Kempty waterfall in Mussorie, no mask in sight or social distancing being followed, the govt on Friday expressed serious concerns about people letting their guard down amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Zara sochiye (just think). Isn't it is an open invitation for Covid-19 to infect us. The spread of infection in the community is linked to our behaviour", said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the health Ministry, during Friday's press briefing.

The photo was taken from a video that went viral recently showing tourists flouting Covid-19 norms at Mussoorie’s Kempty falls, which led authorities to cap the number of visitors at the popular spot to 50. Also, people will now be allowed to bathe only for 30 minutes.

The govt reiterated that the country was still dealing with the second wave and people need to introspect if they can afford this misplaced belief that Covid-19 is over.

Another similar video posted on social media showed a little boy walking on a crowded street and scolding everyone who was walking without a mask in Dharamshala.