The Devaswom committees have decided to conduct small Poorams rituals during the Thrissur Pooram due to the Covid-19 situation in Thrissur and Kerala. The decision was taken at the Cochin Devaswom Board headquarters that was attended by temple representatives involved in the smaller Pooram rituals.
During the meeting, the Devaswom Boards decided that the temples will parade only one elephant for the rituals. Little less than 50 people are allowed to partake in the rituals due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since Kerala will observe night curfew from today, the state government has said that the night curfew will be relaxed on the Pooram day.
During a discussion held between the Chief Secretary and Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswom Boards on Monday, it was decided that there will no public gathering during the Thrissur Pooram celebration this year due to rising Covid-19 cases. The public can witness the Pooram from the comfort of their homes. Only organizers, percussionists, mahouts, media and police are allowed to attend the Pooram and they must carry a Covid-19 negative certificate without fail.
Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja has informed that she in quarantine after her son and daughter-in-law have tested positive for Covid-19. “My son Shobhith and his wife are Covid-19 positive. I have decided to stay in quarantine since I had primary contact with them. I don't have any symptoms. In the past days, only online meetings were held,” she said in a Facebook post written Malayalam.
Kerala is seeing a rise in cases and Test positivity Rate (TPR). On Monday, Kerala has recorded 13,644 Covid-19 cases, 4,305 recoveries and 21 deaths. The state collected 87,275 samples and the TPR was at 15.63%.
Kerala will observe a night curfew from 9 pm to 6 am today. However, the curfew will not affect freight and public transport. It is advised that companies must implement work from home (WFH) wherever possible during the curfew. Due to the night curfew, theatres will close by 7.30 pm.
