Name to e book an appointment at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, in Kochi, and the primary questions is “Are you from a containment zone?” Though Kerala’s Ayurvedic centres, which draw guests from all around the world for his or her rejuvenating remedies, have lastly reopened, there’s nothing relaxed about their processes anymore.

With COVID-19 forcing all enterprise that re-open to be always vigilant, a verbal affirmation just isn’t sufficient. Now, a photo-id card, comparable to Aadhar card as proof of handle too, is necessary for these looking for Ayurveda remedies in Kerala. Appointments are based mostly on questionnaires that search detailed journey historical past and quarantine particulars, in line with Ministry of Ayush pointers.

The Malayalam month of Karkidakam is necessary within the therapy calendar of Ayurveda centres. Historically that is the time – when the monsoon cools temperatures – for wellness and rejuvenation therapies. “Wellness therapy throughout Karkidakam has many advantages together with immunity constructing and total effectively being of thoughts and physique. It is a good time as that is when the season modifications and therefore excellent for such remedies,” says Dr. Rekha Varma, chief doctor Nagarjuna Stree Ayurveda Centre, Tripunithura in Kochi.

If walk-ins have been inspired earlier, they’re now restricted. “We’re very strict now and demand on paperwork and all particulars. A photograph id is proof of handle, this manner we all know the place sufferers are coming from – containment zones and hotspots too. We can’t take this case frivolously,” says Raju UP, Asst. Public Relations Supervisor of the Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala (Kochi). Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala doesn’t have a Karkidakam-specific wellness regime because it affords year-round therapy for medical situations too.

“We don’t admit sufferers with co-morbidities and people coming from containment zones. They should furbish particulars about their journey historical past. As soon as the well being parameters are discovered to be regular, we begin the remedy,” says Dr Mohamed Mirdaz Ok, medical director, Edhini Ayurveda Hospital, Chathamangalam, Kozhikode.

The method – together with pre and submit therapy – have additionally acquired longer. Not solely do therapists should gear up in masks and face shields, therapy rooms are disinfected/fumigated after every session, temperature checks completed on the sufferers, each day temperature checks for therapists, and janitorial workers. At some locations, apart from sanitisation sufferers are required to wash earlier than and after remedies too, and they’re given ‘immunity booster’ decoctions with substances comparable to turmeric, tulsi, pepper, dry ginger and cinnamon.

Pankajakasthuri Group of Establishments, Thiruvananthapuram goes a step past, after the after preliminary screening for any signs of the pandemic, the affected person has to bear IgM check (Immunoglobulin M check to measure the extent of antibodies in blood) and, if wanted, the RT-PCR check earlier than they’re admitted at his hospital, says Dr. J Hareendran Nair, founder. “As for our therapists, apart from complying with security measures, additionally they take sure medicines as a prophylactic measure,” he provides.

The numbers of these looking for wellness remedies have fallen drastically and enquiries for wellness remedies few however Ayurveda hospitals and centres haven’t turned away individuals looking for these. Nevertheless, the packages – often for seven, 14 or 21 days – are being administered in line with Authorities pointers and precautionary measures. Spas at resorts and lodges haven’t began functioning but.

Dr Mirdaz says that whereas overseas vacationers – Arabs and Europeans – made up a big chunk of these looking for remedies now it’s locals. “If previously we had 30-35 sufferers, right now we have now round 4, all locals. The occupancy has dropped,” he says. Dr. Hareedran echoes the sentiment, “I’d peg the occupancy at one mattress for each 10 beds.” The remedies are primarily panchakarma, kizhi and/or virechana (purgation), no COVID-19 inclusions. Those that have tele-consultation communicate of enquiries about immunity boosters.

Says Linda Rakesh, CEO of RCM Wellness Centre in Kochi, “Proper now, we’re being cautious about who we admit for wellness remedies. We aren’t encouraging new admissions for now; we’re purchasers who’ve come to us earlier or who we’re conversant in. We can’t do that for ache administration remedies, these remedies are completed underneath strict situations.”

The variety of therapists and medical doctors on premises is restricted or lowered; at some locations they work over shifts whereas staying on campus to limit publicity to COVID-19. It’s plenty of work – as an example fumigating the remedy room after every session, which takes as much as half an hour. However the accent is on conserving all people – therapist and affected person –secure. Some centres choose to confess sufferers like Dr. Mirdaz, who says, “Sufferers have to stay within the hospital in the course of the full course of the therapy not like earlier years once they have been allowed to go house after a day’s session.” The period of keep is dependent upon the therapy. These steps go a good distance in instilling a way of safety in sufferers, they add.

Nevertheless, not all clinics choose to confess sufferers. “It’s not viable now. That’s why we have now a seven-day package deal for these from in and round our panchayat solely in order that they’ll go house after the day’s remedy session. Session just isn’t open for the 60-plus age group who’re at increased threat of contracting the illness,” says Dhanesh PG, supervisor of Madhaveeyam Ayurveda Chikitsalayam at Chelakkara, Thrissur.

(With inputs from Athira M)