COVID-19 Prevention Protocol for an Organised Mass Gathering-An Essential Requisite in Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Phase

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has stirred up chaos in the whole world After prolonged lockdowns, finally, society is opening again for business and day-to-day life Mass gatherings are undoubtedly again expected to start, but carry additional risks for transmission of the virus We designed a concept model that was validated in about 1000 people gathering in a convocation ceremony at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak A protocol was made, a risk assessment was done, and attendees followed-up The emphasis on thermal screening, hand hygiene, physical distancing, open-air ventilation, refusing attendees having Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI), and other preventive measures were the means to contain the potential transmission in an organised mass gathering of this magnitude The dictum “prevention is better than cure” held amidst this outbreak As a result of this well-structured mass gathering, the event was quite successfully conducted Further event planning in the COVID-19 scenario or other outbreaks of similar infections must be managed in this way for the prevention of spread