The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over but governments across the world appear to have either relaxed lockdown parameters or will do so soon. Containing Covid and restoring our economies requires not just good policy decisions and medical advice; it also needs continued compliance with the recommended behavioural changes. Daunting as they may seem, the drastic changes in behaviour being called for, can indeed be brought about. Answer the following in this regard: (a) Why is behavioural change seen to be desirable in a country like India, when it is faced with a pandemic of the kind of Covid-19? (b) What role have different stakeholders in India been playing in helping communities adhere to the desired behaviour? (c) Discuss the challenges in bringing about behavioural change, particularly in such an environment of anxiety and uncertainties.

(a) COVID-19 has redefined social norms of behaviour and called for social distancing, hand hygiene and masking.

Such behavioural change is desirable for India for following reasons:-

(i) Given limited healthcare resources behavioural change is a low cost solution to containing the pandemic. (ii) Also prevents spread of other communicable diseases.

• Masking can reduce spread of TB, swine flu.
• Hand hygiene goes a long way in improving health and immunity. (iii) High population density, need for appropriate behaviour to prevent spread. (iv) Remaining indoors, only going out for necessary work.
• Reduced traffic congestion on road.
• Reduced pollution. (v) Prolonged lockdown harms economy, loss of livelihood.
• Behavioural change can ensure safe return to the workplace. (vi) Sustained behavioural change reduces the chance of future pandemic.

However, behaviour has to be sustained and reinforced to make it a part of habit.

Different stakeholders and their roles in behavioural changes

• Government: → Information and awareness through posters, advertisements. → Law to enforce behaviour. → E.g., fine for not wearing mask.

• Administration: → Lead by example by showing sustained change among themselves. → Enforcement of laws and penalties.

• Family: → Encourage and supervise each other's behaviour. → Parents can influence children.

• Social media and electronic media: → Posts of people wearing masks can encourage others. → Tell about ill effects of non wearing mask, not washing hand. → Report cases of violation of rules and punishment to create an opinion.

• Healthcare workers: → Information. → Distribute mask, Sanitiser, etc.

• Teachers: → Encourage student to follow behavioural changes.

(c) However such behavioural changes are difficult to induce and sustain. • Usually habits take time to be internalised. But COVID-19 made it an overnight practice. • Lack of self accountability amongst people. Only following behavioural norms when supervised. • Lack of proper understanding of importance of behaviour change. • Difficulty in following the changes: → Cost of mask. → Repeated handwashing and soap and water requirement. → Sanitiser bottles. • Difficult to sustain: → Reaction against government action. → After sometime remove masks. • High population density, lack of spacious roads, difficult to follow distancing. • Above all, lack of internalisation of benefits of behavioural change and lack of self-regulation.