The Kerala government has imposed further restrictions as the second wave is passing through the state. The Chief Secretary chaired a high-level meeting to impose strict restrictions and tighten its grip on rising Covid-19 cases.
The government has said that restaurants and shops must close at 9 pm. They pointed out that hotels can function with a 50% seating capacity and food parcels should be encouraged. They added that guest should be given food in packets at wedding functions.
According to the latest restrictions, 200 people are permitted at public events in open spaces, while 100 people are allowed in closed room function. Also, public events cannot exceed two hours.
The restrictions come on a day when Kerala reported 5,692 positive cases, 2,474 recoveries and 11 deaths. The state collected 45,417 samples and the Test Positivity Rate is 12.53%. Reportedly, the samples for the last 24 hours were collected only till 2 pm.
Earlier, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja has expressed concern over large crowds at the upcoming Thrissur Pooram as the state is facing a second wave of Covid-19. “It is dangerous to have crowds during Thrissur Pooram. The Devaswom board should decide on the Thirussur Pooram through talks. They should consider whether they can hold the Pooram like how the Attukal Pongala was conducted,” Shailaja told a leading Malayalam news channel.
Shailaja informed that the state is also facing a vaccine shortage as some areas have vaccine stocks for just two days.
Shailaja said that the state has no objections against the Centre’s plan to export vaccines. “We are not saying that the vaccine is not available at all. We need to ensure availability of vaccines for everyone here before sending it abroad,” she said, adding that the Kerala government have written to the Centre for more vaccines.
