9 new cases in Kerala; no new case from worst-hit Kasargod
`14,504.67 cr.
The Opposition parties, IMA and activists had sought a complete shutdown of bars and liquor outlets in the state in view of the coronavirus spread.
Meanwhile, the Left parties on Wednesday slammed the government over its “failure” to introduce “concrete measures” to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and questioned why an economic package had not yet been announced for the poor.
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said his government has taken no measures to assist poor migrants who are most hurt by the sudden lockdown and a large number of them are stranded without food or shelter.
“It is very disappointing that no concrete measures have been announced so far to provide relief to the poor and the needy, and to alleviate the suffering of those who need urgent help at this moment to survive the lockdown.
“How will they (migrants) reach safe spaces? How will they survive without money or food and with reports of police harassment too?,” he said in the letter. CPI general secretary D Raja said while he appreciated that it was difficult for the government to fight this epidemic, the lack of widescale testing could harm the country.
Nine persons were tested positive for Covid-19 in Kerala on Wednesday taking the total number of cases to 118 in the state.
There cases were reported from Ernakulam, two each from Palakkad and Pathanamthitta and one each from Kozhikode and Idukki respectively. Four came from Dubai, one person is from UK and one from France. Three contracted the infection through contact including one taxi driver who got it from a French tourist in Ernakuam.
Six Covid-19 patients who were under treatment in the state have been tested negative.
There was no positive case from Kasargod on Wednesday which has reported the highest number of confirmed cases in the state at 45, which has come as a big relief.
As on Wednesday 76,542 are under surveillance of which 76010 persons are under home quarantine. So far 12 Covid - 19 patients have completely recovered in the state.
At a press conference here after presiding over a high level review meeting, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government would bring an ordinance to take stringent measures against those violating the restrictions. The ordinance seeks to make an amendment in the Epidemic Diseases Act by including the provision of two years imprisonment and `10,000 fine for those who violate the instructions given by the government. Individual departments will be empowered to take action as per the amended rule.
Meanwhile , the special cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to provide all ration card holders at least 15 kg of rice free for a month in the wake of Covid-19 scare. People belonging to the Below Poverty line category will receive their usual quota of 35 kg of food grains, 28 kg of rice and 7 kg of wheat. All households in the state will receive “good quality” free rice for a month.
The ration shops will remain open from 9 am to 5 pm as against the routine timing of 9 am to 2 pm.
The government in association with the local bodies will ensure cooked food and other essential items for people who are under home quarantine. Ward level committees will identify homes where the marginalised sections including the elderly people, differently abled, transgender live, to make sure they also get regular food supply and essentials.
Vijayan said two months welfare pension will be disbursed from March 27. As many as 54 lakh people will receive the benefit.
The government will expedite the process of setting up 1,000 hotels which will provide meals at `20.
The meals will be home delivered to people. The Chief Minister said there would be no shortage of food grains as the FCI has informed that their 25 godowns in the state have stocks for eight months.
The primary health centres and family health centres have been directed to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines to the people.