Kerala’s new Covid-19 protocol allows shops to open six days a week

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major revamp of the Covid-19 protocols, the Kerala state government has announced a set of new guidelines in the bid to open shops and ensure normal life for the common people.

The new guidelines allow opening of all shops on all days, except Sunday, from 7 am to 9 pm. The weekend lockdown on Saturdays and Sundays has been replaced with one-day lockdown on Sundays.

The A, B, C and D-based categorisation of places will no more exist. However, restrictions will be imposed on places on the basis of number of Covid-19 cases. Triple lockdown will be in place in areas having a minimum of ten Covid-19 patients among a population of 1,000 continuously for one week.

A maximum of 40 persons will be allowed to attend marriage and other funeral functions. Strict measures will be in place to avoid all sorts political, social and cultural functions. The government was urged to consider practical and scientific measures to curb the menace and there was an uproar against the TPR-based restrictive measures.

Announcing the guidelines in the assembly, the Minister for Health, Veena George, said that the prime focus will now be on to control crowds in public places. “By taking into account the total area of worship centres, a maximum of 40 people will be allowed. On August 15 and 22, when the celebrations associated with Independence Day and Onam take place, lockdown will not be in place. Hotels should strictly follow home delivery and all civic bodies and police should be extra vigilant to control people joining in public places without following the Covid-19 protocol. In shops, public will be allowed only on the basis of one person per 25 square feet ratio.”

The minister also said that measures have been taken to avoid rush in vaccination centers. 'All those who are above the age of 60 years will be vaccinated shortly. We are in the grip of the second wave of Covid-19. We have to curb it with the help of public cooperation and also gear up to face the third wave through complete vaccination,' she added.