Thiruvananthapuram: The state authorities on Monday (April 19) introduced a two week lengthy night curfew in Kerala amid the current surge in COVID-19 instances throughout the state.
The resolution was taken by a core committee of COVID-19 administration headed by the Kerala Chief Secretary.
“Restriction on non-essential activities and movement at night between 9pm and 5 am shall come into force from 9 pm of April 20. No gatherings of any kind shall be permitted between 9 pm and 5 am. Essential services (medical stores, hospitals, fuel stations, night shift employees, milk, newspaper, media etc), goods transportation and public transportation are exempted from the night restriction,” stated the federal government order issued by the Chief Secretary.
The order additionally directed the tutoring facilities to solely operate via on-line medium and never maintain bodily lessons. Additionally, all malls, purchasing complexes and cinema theatres have been requested to shut by 7.30 pm by rescheduling their timings accordingly.
“All meetings, training events and other programs under all government departments, organisations shall be held through the online medium as far as possible. All places of worship must limit public participation with a minimum number of priests, managers, and others employed in those places of worship. All regular worship and festivals may be broadcast online,” the order stated.
The state authorities additionally ordered that each one authorities exams will now be postponed for 2 weeks, including that the Public Service Commission will even be requested to postpone all exams for 2 weeks.
“All shops, establishments, markets, etc. which are not adhering to COVID-19 protocols shall be closed immediately for a period of minimum two days. The Sectoral Magistrates and police will ensure this. The number of days would depend on the severity of the violation,” the order learn.
Additionally, the state authorities has revoked its resolution to conduct Thrissur Pooram with fanfare and has determined to restrict the temple festival to rituals. Only the organisers of the festival shall be allowed on the grounds that they may observe COVID-19 laws totally.
Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples, who’re thought of the primary organisers of the Pooram festival had earlier maintained that the Pooram needs to be held in a full-fledged method, have now agreed to the restriction by the federal government.
The authorities additionally put up a particular COVID-19 Protocol Enforcement Campaign which shall be held on Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the state.
“All additional measures decided shall be in force for a period of two weeks and extension of the same shall be decided based on the pandemic scenario later,” the order additional stated.
Earlier, on Sunday (April 18), the authorities ordered that each one home travellers must carry a RT-PCR check report taken inside final 48 hours earlier than or after the arrival.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Kerala reported 13,644 new COVID-19 instances within the final 24 hours, based on the state well being bulletin. As many as 21 deaths had been reported and 4,305 individuals recovered within the stated interval. Currently, the state has 1,03,004 lively instances.
(With Agency inputs)
