Kerala has announced a four-day night curfew from Thursday as a precaution against New Year celebrations. Such restraint is necessary in the context of Covid and the worrying Omicron. When people are reluctant to exercise self-control, the government will have to intervene. The fact that New Year's celebrations have to end at 10 pm may be frustrating for many, but the government cannot be blamed for the move. Such restrictions will be necessary until the threat of an epidemic that still haunts society as a whole is completely eliminated. Doubts may be raised as to whether the restrictions imposed from 10 pm to 5 am will have any significant effect. Shops and businesses are advised to close by 10 p.m.

It is important to control the crowds. It does not seem to be enforced anywhere in the state. This is the situation everywhere in the country. Night restrictions have already been imposed in many states. Uncontrolled crowding increases the likelihood of the spread of Covid's new variant, Omicron. About 600 people have been infected with Omicron in various states. We must also learn from the experience of civilized nations. The question of what is to be gained by only night time restriction. Restrictions that do not disturb the normal life of the people should continue during the day.

A large section of people have not yet recovered from the damage caused by Covid. Millions of people have lost their jobs and are in dire straits. There are many families around who have lost their wages and income. There are a lot of sad realities ahead that remind us that it is not time to forget and celebrate.

More than one million children are preparing to sit for the annual exams in classes X and XII during the months of March-April. These are the turning points in education. The move to make the Covid vaccine available to people between the ages of fifteen and eighteen is comforting. However, Covid figures in the state suggest that early-day care and vigilance should be followed. And let's not forget that Covid’s new incarnation, Omicron, is on the prowl. Studies have shown that people who take the Covid vaccine are less likely to catch Omicron. Fifty percent of those infected were vaccinated, the study found. Apart from the Higher Secondary examinations, the time for the University examinations is also approaching. The vigilance of the general public is essential to ensure that the examinations schedules don’t go awry.