Kerala Imposes Fresh Curbs Amid Covid Surge, Closure Of Shops By 9 pm
Mumbai: To tackle the rising number of coronavirus case in Kerala, the Kerala government to take urgent additional measures, including restrictions on gatherings and timings of commercial establishments, besides postponing all shopping festivals. These curbs will remain in place till April 30.
The state has decided to recommend imposing stricter Covid-related regulations including restricting shops and hotels to function till 9 pm. Hotels and restaurants should only allow 50% of maximum seating capacity.
As per an official order issued by Chief Secretary VP Joy, no programme in the state will be held beyond two hours.
However, if the presence of more people is required or timing is to be extended, the organisers should have a system of passes for the event to allow entry to those who have a negative RT-PCR certificate taken 72 hours prior to the event or those with a certificate of at least first vaccination shot.
“Crowding must be controlled effectively and meetings shall be held online as far as possible. E-Sanjeevani of the health department should be popularised so that crowding in OP wards is avoided. Fifty per cent rule should be strictly adhered to in cinemas/theatres, hotels and restaurants,” the order read.
Notably, though, intra-state and inter-state travel, and transport of goods from other countries, have not been restricted. Neither is any separate approval or permit or pass necessary for such travel, the order released today has said.
District Magistrates have been given the freedom to impose further restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC depending on the local situation.
“Hotels and restaurants should promote take-aways and home delivery, instead of in-house dining as people tend to crowd in such public dining settings and remove their masks. Religious leaders and district authorities may be persuaded to avoid community gatherings (iftar parties) when customary fasting is broken during evenings in the month of Ramzan,” further added.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Kerala has registered 7,515 fresh COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths.
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