Kerala govt revised lockdown restriction from today issued new guidelines. Details here

Kerala government has issued a new order on providing some relaxation in the ongoing covid-19 restrictions in the state from today onwards. In the new order, many establishments have been allowed to function six days a week from Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 9 pm.

The list includes shops, markets, banks, offices, financial institutions, factories, industrial establishments, open tourist spaces, and other establishments. Meanwhile, all establishments in the public sector, including government offices, PSUs, companies, autonomous organizations, commissions etc. will function from Monday to Friday.

“A complete lockdown has been imposed on August 8, Sunday. However, there shall be no lockdown on August 15, 2021 (Independence Day),” read the order.

Who all will be allowed to resume work

The government in its order said that only persons who have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine before two weeks, or who are in possession of RT-PCR negative certificate taken 72 hours before or who is in possession of COVID-19 positive results more than a month old will be allowed inside (workers/visitors) in shops, markets, banks, public and private offices, financial institutions, factories, industrial establishments, open tourist spaces, and other establishments.

Exceptions

Essential activities like vaccination, COVID-19 testing, medical emergency, purchase of medicine, death of relatives, the marriage of close relatives, local travel to catch long route bus/train/flight/ship, examinations, etc are allowed.

People allowed in marriages and other religious gatherings

The Kerala government capped the number of persons visiting places of worship to 40 while a maximum of 20 persons are allowed to participate in marriages and funerals.

“Public functions, social, cultural, and political gatherings are not permitted. However, marriages and funerals will be allowed with the participation of a maximum of 20 persons. Places of worship shall strictly limit the maximum number of persons to 40 with each person having a minimum of 25 sq.ft area. For lesser area, the maximum number of persons shall be reduced proportionately,” stated the order.

Schools to remain close in Kerala

On the other hand, schools, colleges, tuition centers, cinema theatres, in-house dining in hotels and restaurants etc. are not be permitted to reopen.

Guidelines for imposing localized lockdown in the state

If an area has more than 10 COVID-infected patients per 1000 population in a week, triple lockdown will be imposed in that area for a week. “Special intensified stringent lockdown restrictions will be enforced in the Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs) with critical spread based on the Weekly Infection Population Ratio (WIPR).

WIPR is the total number of COVID-19 infections reported in the week multiplied by 1000 divided by total population of the panchayath or urban ward. In panchayaths/urban wards with WIPR of more than 10, special intensified stringent lockdown restrictions shall be imposed,” said the order.

During the state Assembly, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said from the very beginning Kerala has been trying to reduce the severity of COVID-19 through very strong preventive measures. “In Kerala, more than half of the population is still non-infected and protected from the coronavirus through preventive measures,” she added.