By Sampada Anuranjanee Khatiwada, Kathmandu, June 21: After the government’s decision to relax the lockdown and resume all the economic activities, the human movement has increased massively, thereby increasing the threat of virus fallout.

While at public places, people are seen wearing masks and sanitising themselves frequently, many have not been able to let go of many habits such as spitting in public places, among others, which further intensifies the risk of spread of the novel coronavirus.

Despite knowing that the virus transfers through the droplets of spits and saliva, a lot of people are seen spitting in public places without caring about health and safety of others.

"The threat of virus spread has increased with all the crowding here in New Road post-relaxation of lockdown," said Rodan Sharma, a mobile shop owner at New Road. "The pandemic has become a catch-22 situation for us. If we do not open shops, we are not able to make a living and if we do we are exposed to the risk of virus infection." Sharma said that the spitting habit of people on roads had further intensified the risk of COVID-19 spread.

"Ever since the lockdown was imposed, we have been hearing about how COVID-19 was an airborne disease and we should close our mouth with tissues or our elbow while coughing or sneezing during all modes of communications that exist," said Sharma.

"People tend to overlook all the awareness campaigns and prevention measures that have been prescribed by the government and other health organisations. We see many people passing by casually spitting on the roads every day," he added.

"May be it is the self-serving nature of people which requires them to wear masks and adopt all other precautionary measures to stay unaffected by the virus, but when it comes to prevent being the 'mode of transmission' of virus, they forget it all," said Sharma.

The COVID-19 disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus transmits from one person to another through saliva or spits. Spitting in public isn’t just a bad habit anymore, it is hazardous to public health, the health experts say.

"Spitting in public place could intensify the spread of the virus. Many people, especially those who smoke or chew tobacco, betel leaves (paan) or gums have the urge of spitting anywhere and everywhere," said Dr Rabindra Pandey, a public health expert.

"By now, it has been established that SARS-CoV-2 transfers through respiratory droplets. When a person randomly spits on the road or any other public place, the chances of the droplets entering eyes, nose or mouth of other people nearby are high," added Dr Pandey.

He added that if a person spat in an enclosed room which doesn’t have proper ventilation, the threat of virus transmission would increase even more.

"A lot of people around us have the habit of spitting frequently which is dangerous amid the pandemic. Thus, people should maintain cleanliness and hygiene and their surroundings to limit the transmission of diseases, be it COVID-19 or any other communicable disease that transmits through saliva," he said.

“Having the need to spit time and again is an old habit of many of us. But the situation is very risky now. A minor negligence of one person might be hazardous to public health and we must consider changing our habits to minimise virus infection,” said Ram Prasad Gyawali, a local of Samakhusi.

“In our area, we have prohibited spitting in public places. If we see anyone spitting on the road or elsewhere, we immediately make him/her clean it,” said Gyawali. “Many countries like India and Australia have criminalised spitting publicly amid COVID-19 concerns. I believe our government should also consider bringing those who spit recklessly to book.”