Kochi: Strict regulations are being implemented in Kochi city. Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar, who is in charge of the district, urged the public not to step outside unnecessarily. 

The situation on Broadway is a warning. Police and health workers will conduct special examinations in the area, he said and added that institutions including banks will be closed down in containment zones even if they are included in the essential service category.

The cooperation of all is required to ensure that the rate of COVID-19 transmission does not get any worse. Hence areas where people get together like markets will have to be closed down, the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the 26 COVID test results from Kochi, which are yet to be announced, are very important. Thoppumpadi has also been declared a containment zone along with Ernakulam market. The district administration has made it clear that they cannot approve the traders demand to set up an alternate market in the city.

The anxiety over COVID transmission has been mounting in the city ever since the employees at Ernakulam market tested positive for the virus. Thoppumpadi was made a containment zone after the family members of the electric shop owner, where one of the employees worked, also tested positive.

The samples of around 200 people were taken after other employees in the market also tested positive. Their results will be  important. So far 12 people connected to the market have contracted the disease.

Meanwhile, the district administration has shut down the parallel market that was started by traders at Marine Drive after it became a controversy.

Although the demand for an alternative market is strong from the traders, district authorities will not approve it. Fort Kochi station has been warned to exercise caution. Officers including an SI who caught a patient for violating quarantine have been under observation.