Apart from vaccination, compliance to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is the most effective method used by the governments all over the world to contain the spread of corona virus. Non-pharmaceutical interventions include a wide range of restrictions from lockdown, curfews, and closures to enforcing personal protective behaviors like wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
The research focus is now gradually shifting towards developing motivational strategies to engage communities for compliance to NPI related appropriate behavior, Seale, H, Et al. Derek K Chu et al (2020) in-depth observational study across 16 countries comprising 172 observational probes with no randomized controlled trails and 44 relevant comparative studies in health care and non health care settings (n=25697) suggests that transmission of viruses was lower with physical distancing of 1 meter or more, ( The Lancet, June 2020 ).
Access to local markets and the severe impact on the retail industry were amongst the main reasons that forced the authorities to gradually lift the restrictions. The second wave of corona emerged from the false sense of victory over corona virus and blatant compromise on NPI related appropriate behavior. A research review contributed by a team from the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, suggests that intermittent social distancing may be needed through 2022 to manage Covid -19 (Science, May 2020) As corona was wreaking havoc, the online retail witnessed an exponential growth thereby further marginalizing the local markets and neighborhood brick and mortar stores.
Based on local market ecosystem the Lalaa Ji app series has been developed to empower local markets globally. The app provides an option to local markets to switch over to the dual mode of online/offline retailing with prompt home delivery services. Transforming local markets into online retail hubs will help in promoting social distancing without impacting sales.
