Covid-19: Kerala government to not impose lockdown in state after Union Health Ministry’s proposal

The cabinet also decided to buy one crore Covid-19 vaccine doses from manufacturers ahead of the vaccination drive for those above 18 years
Pinarayi Vijayan
Pinarayi VijayanFacebook

The state government has decided against implementing a full lockdown in Kerala to curb the spread of Covid-19. On Tuesday, Kerala recorded its highest single-day spike with 32,819 Covid-19 cases.

The state cabinet’s decision came after the Union Health Ministry proposed imposing strict restrictions, including a complete lockdown in districts with high test positivity rate (TPR). If the Health Ministry’s proposal is accepted then nearly 13 districts in Kerala will be under lockdown as they have a TPR of above 15%. The state has a TPR of over 20%. The rise in Covid-19 cases in Kerala is due to the fast transmitting double-mutant variant found in 13 districts of Kerala.

The Kerala cabinet also decided to buy one crore Covid-19 vaccine doses from vaccine manufacturers ahead of the vaccination drive for those above 18 years of age.

The Kerala government is also seeking to manufacture the Covid-19 vaccine. It is reported that the state industries department has begun discussions whether the Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd can produce the vaccines at Kalavoor in Alappuzha. As the state has faced vaccine shortage time and again, this move will help Kerala become self-reliant.

Meanwhile, Kerala Police has reportedly collected Rs 1.25 crore from violators during the weekend lockdown in the state on Saturday and Sunday. Reportedly, police fined people for not wearing masks and not adhering to social distancing norms.

According to reports, the police pointed out that many violators were unaware that spitting on the road is also an offence under the Covid-19 protocol. Many weddings and other functions also took place in the two days. It is reported that more people attended these functions than the prescribed limit by the Kerala government. People continue to violate Covid protocols despite the state and the country going through aa raging pandemic.

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