Kerala imposes extra Covid curbs as 9-day lockdown begins

By Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With 25,000 police personnel deputed for surveillance responsibility and orders for seizing all unauthorised non-public autos, the nine-day lockdown starting on Saturday is ready to be a robust step to arrest the worsening Covid state of affairs within the state. On Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan introduced extra restrictions like limiting the providers of banks to 3 days every week and making certain lodging of labourers on the building websites to make sure that travelling is dome for important functions solely. 

Self-declaration varieties are obligatory for emergency journey throughout the lockdown.“A lockdown has become necessary considering the rapid spread of the disease and the high population density of our state,” stated Pinarayi. Triggering severe concern, the state has been witnessing an enormous surge in Covid circumstances, with 38,460 extra folks testing optimistic on Friday.

In view of the lockdown, the federal government has determined to distribute free grocery kits via ration outlets this month as effectively. Migrant staff may also be supplied with meals kits, the CM stated. Putting an finish to the confusion over the functioning of resorts throughout lockdown, the CM stated wayside eateries received’t be allowed to function. Hotels and eating places can supply takeaway and supply providers from 7am to 7.30pm.

Liquid oxygen storage ensured in 8 MCHs: CM

Delivery of meals at subsidised charges via ‘janakeeya’ resorts can be organized for people and households who want the service. In locations the place such resorts are unavailable, meals can be supplied via neighborhood kitchens to be began by native our bodies. KSRTC received’t ply buses and all trains conducting intra-state providers have been cancelled until May 16. Those who’ve registered for vaccination can journey to the hospitals involved. All outlets aside from these promoting medicines and meals gadgets will stay closed.  Inter-district journey can be allowed just for emergency wants in addition to marriage ceremony, funeral, visiting an ailing shut relative or transferring of sufferers. While journey cross will not be obligatory for inter-district journey, carrying self-declaration is should. 

Banks will operate solely on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Automobile workshops can be open solely on Saturday and Sunday. Auctioning has been banned in fishing harbours. Financial establishments have been requested to not gather any kind of dues from folks throughout the lockdown, the CM stated. People getting into Kerala from different states ought to register on Covid jagratha portal. In case of non-registration on the portal, these getting into the state ought to bear 14-day quarantine at their very own expense. Strict motion can be taken in opposition to suppliers who cost exorbitant charge for pulse oximeters, the CM warned.

The CM stated the state is unable to vaccinate everybody within the 18-44 years at one go. Priority can be given to those that endure from comorbidities. Members of ward-level committees, who attend to Covid sufferers and people in quarantine, can be given precedence in vaccination.  Pinarayi stated the state will have the ability to supply solely a small portion of the one crore vaccine doses it wants this month. The state has a inventory of 220.09 metric tonnes of oxygen.

The state makes use of 111.4 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen day by day on a mean. Liquid oxygen storage has been ensured in eight authorities medical faculties. The sanctioning of oxygen manufacturing items in eight areas are within the closing phases whereas a brand new oxygen plant within the state capital can be commissioned on Saturday.While 9 oxygen manufacturing items have acquired approval, work is on for sanctioning of 38 extra items, he added. 

WHAT’S OKAY, WHAT’S NOT

Travel allowed solely for emergency functions
Hotels and eating places can supply takeaway service
All outlets aside from these promoting medicines and meals gadgets to stay closed
Delivery of meals via ‘janakeeya’ resorts to be organized for these needing it
Banks to operate solely on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Automobile workshops allowed to open solely on Saturday and Sunday
KSRTC to not ply buses. 
All intra-state prepare providers cancelled until May 16
People coming from different states should register on Covid jagratha portal or bear 14-day quarantine at 
personal expense