In view of the festive season starting with Dahi Handi, experts have mooted the need to bring back the mask mandate as chances of infection spread is high given all restrictions have been lifted. The state is already witnessing a rise in cases of swine flu and other viral infections along with COVID-19, and hence there is a need to observe the festivals with adequate precautions, they said. 

‘Follow safety measures’

Dr Santosh Bansode, head of the department, Emergency Medicine, Wockhardt hospitals, said, “Looking at the current rise in COVID and swine flu cases, there is a high chance that numbers will increase further if we don’t take adequate precautions as both the diseases can spread from person to person due to close contact. Follow COVID-appropriate behaviour to save yourself as well as others.”