Couple tie the knot in full PPE after groom tests positive as Covid tears through India – World News
An Indian couple were forced to tie the knot in full PPE – after the groom tested positive for coronavirus.
The pair married in the state of Madhya Pradesh earlier this month.
Police reportedly turned up at the venue after hearing about the positive test and considered stopping the ceremony.
But, when they realised coronavirus precautions had been taken, they allowed it to continue.
Video from the wedding shows the bride and groom walking around a small fire in the middle of a room while tied with garlands.
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(Image: Jam Press/TIM)
The ritual is known as Saat Phere, and sees the couple walk around the small “holy” fire several times and praying for a happy future.
Three wedding guests – also dressed in PPE – can be seen standing at the side of the room and watch the ceremony take place.
One of the guests hands the bride something white as she and her husband continue walking around the fire.
India is currently experiencing the worst outbreak of Covid-19 in the world with daily cases having risen steadily for the past 10 days.
The country is struggling to cope with shortages of beds, medicine and oxygen.
(Image: Jam Press/TIM)
The lethal virus has now spread from India’s major cities to smaller towns, putting even more pressure on its buckling healthcare.
Countries including Britain have pledge aid to the cause, the first batches of which were delivered this week.
Wednesday saw India record its deadliest day of the pandemic yet, with 3,293 fatalities taking the toll to 201,187.
The last 24 hours also brought 360,960 new cases – the world’s largest single-day total.
Some experts even believe India’s official tally vastly underestimates the actual toll in a nation with a population of 1.3 billion.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Officials are now hoping for a flood of supplies – including vaccines – to speed its rollout amid the surge.
But a Downing Street spokesman said on Tuesday that Britain would not be sending vaccine doses to India imminently.
“We are moving through the UK prioritisation list for our domestic rollout and we don’t have surplus doses, but we will keep this under review”, they said.
