Thiruvananthapuram: More relaxations were announced in the state in its effort to revise the Covid protocols. The new guidelines will come into effect from Thursday. With this, TPR based relaxations and restrictions were called off. The traders can open the shops from Monday to Saturday and the restaurants can continue delivery till 9.30 pm. 

According to new guidelines, three conditions have to be followed to enter into shops. The first one is those who are visiting the shops must complete two weeks after taking the first dose of vaccine. The second condition is the customers must hold a COVID negative certificate of RT PCR test taken within 72 hours. As per the last condition, those who completed one month after being infected by Covid will be allowed to enter the shops. 

Apart from shops, the new protocol should be followed by the banks, markets, offices, industries and open tourist spots. 

In shops, only a person shall stand within 25 square metres. Children can also accompany their parents. 
Government offices and Public Sector Enterprises will function for five days per week. Online delivery has been permitted in the malls too. People shall have food from the car or open spaces near the restaurants. The guidelines also direct the resorts and hotels to function in a bio-bubble model.  

The new guidelines did not permit the opening of schools, colleges or tuition centres. No permission was granted for public events. In the places of worship, the area should be taken into consideration while allowing people into it. A maximum of 40 people can enter into the worship places which are spacious while only 20 can participate in the wedding and funeral ceremonies.

As per the revised protocol, competitive exams, recruitments, sports trials and university exams will be allowed.