Kerala says will ease restrictions
Kerala which has been under lockdown since May 8, will witness major relaxation in the curbs from this week.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government would formally announce the relaxation in lockdown in specific sectors on Tuesday. The decision to relax restrictions has been taken in view of the decline in number of Covid cases from 30,000 last month to less than 10,000. On Monday the state reported
7,719 new cases of Covid
19. Even the TRP rate which was hovering around 28 in May has now dropped to less than 12 and is expected to go down further.
The number of active cases too has come down from over 3 lakh to 1.15 lakh. With lockdown creating serious livelihood problems for the daily wagers and economically weaker sections besides adversely affecting small and medium businesses, pressure has been mounting on government to lift the restrictions. The Opposition Congress-led UDF also demanded lifting of curbs on Monday.
Transport buses, autorickshaws, taxi and other public carriers have been allowed to operated partially. Automobile workshops, salons, shops and buisness establishments selling raw materials and essential materials for construction sector including plumbing, paint and electrical shops have been allowed to function.
The government offices will function with 50 percent strength.
Joggers, morning walkers have already been allowed between 5 am and 7 am, evening walkers between 7 pm and 9 pm, banks and financial institutions till 5 pm, only parcel services at hotels and resturants between 7 am to 7.30 pm, stationary shops, outlets selling school text books.
Only those making purchases for wedding would be allowed to shop at jewellery outlets, textile and footwear shops.
Only 20 persons would be allowed in weddings and cremations.
The government will also allow electrical goods repair shops, optical shops.
Service centres of gas stove, mobile phones, computers and other electronic gadgets will be allowed to function. The government will come out with a detailed order on Monday on the restrictions that are to be lifted.