Not just indoor sports halls but any kind of gathering is harmful: Docs

Nagpur, June 27

The State government's directive to close the indoor sports complexes with a view to curb the Covid-19 cases for the third time within one and half years has irked sportspersons and coaches. Lokmat Times has already highlighted the plight of sportspersons and coaches during the lockdown. To know whether there is any scientific reason behind the government's move of closing indoor halls frequently Lokmat Times talked to medical experts and according to them not just the indoor halls but any kind of gathering is harmful as far as infection of Covid-19 is concerned.

There's a possibility that air conditioning may be a potential route of virus transmission but in Nagpur city barring Divisional Sports Complex, no indoor hall has the facility.

Dr Shantanu Sengupta who himself is a long-distance runner has expressed the surprise over government's directive to close the indoor halls with a view to curb Delta threat. He questioned, " Why just indoor halls ? Government is allowing marriages in AC halls with a capacity of 50 persons then why they not allowing the sportspersons to do their regular practice in the halls following Covid protocols", he said. Dr Senghpta said the government's order should be uniform for all. It is good if they are taking extra precautions keeping in view the Delta variant threat but at the same time, they should avoid gathering in marriage halls, political rallies and demonstrations. "The sportspersons are basically very disciplined in nature. They will follow all protocols if they allowed to their practice. There is no harm in doing it", he said.

Sports physiotherapist Dr Kevin Agrawal while taking a dig at the government's move said, " Scientifically it has not proved that players get infected while practicing at indoor halls only. But the government believing in theoretical knowledge only more than practical. They may have the fear that indoor halls will become hot spots if number of people come together. But as per my opinion, there is no logic behind it. Since sports is an immunity booster, the government should allow the indoor activities with some restrictions in the indoor halls".