Study Says Revenge Travel Could Trigger Third Wave Of COVID-19 In India

With many claiming that the second wave is now receding, with daily cases being reported diminishing and places being opened to the public, people have been using this opportunity to travel after being confined to their homes. In light of this, however, experts are worried about this trend and are cautioning against the phenomena known as “revenge travel”.

They are sceptical that gathering either social or religious could result in a third of coronavirus.

According to reports, a study was undertaken by researchers from the Imperial College London and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that claims revenge travel could further exacerbate the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in India which could result in a bigger peak next year in February and March.

Based on reports, the study is titled “Responsible travel to and within India during the COVID-19 pandemic” and it was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Travel Medicine last month with Balram Bhargava the ICMR Director General being amongst one of the researchers.

Accounts state that in the study, researchers have stated on how data from Himachal Pradesh depicts that during a usual holiday season, the population, by tourism rises by 40%. Researchers thus elaborate that considering this, the peak in the third wave can rise by up to 47% in the holiday season and can occur two weeks before in contrast to a situation of lifting curbs in the lack of travel for holiday. In addition to this, they state that state-level ease of travel restrictions could result in a third wave of its own.

They stated that reflect rising chances of transmissions in areas where the population-level immunity hasn’t reached the same level as other places in the country. Adding that using masks, following social distancing by travellers could mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmissions.

They also saw that in the lack of national guidelines on restrictions on domestic travel, it could be beneficial if the destination states provide guidance on the best way to mitigate risks related to travel. In addition to mentioning responsible travel, researchers advise people to stay indoors for longer to keep at bay the third wave. 

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