Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to impose total lockdown on the next two Sundays in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases. Complete lockdown will be in place on January 23 and 30 in the state. A decision regarding this was taken in the COVID-19 review meeting held here on Thursday.
Only essential services will be allowed during the lockdown. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 review meeting also decided to shut all schools across the state. With this, only online classes will be held from Friday onwards. Earlier, the government announced that schools will be partially closed and online classes will be held for students in Classes 1 to 9. The meeting decided to continue physical classes for classes 10, +1, +2 and colleges.
As per reports, no night curfew will be imposed in the states. Restrictions will be imposed as per the spread of the disease in districts. District collectors are allowed to take decisions on restrictions.
Women employees who have kids below 2 years, cancer patients, others suffering from serious ailments at government and private offices will be allowed to work from home. They must produce the certificate of a doctor.
All commercial institutions, malls, beaches, theme parks and other tourist spots must strictly follow COVID protocol to avoid crowding. Sanitiser should be provided at a prescribed distance in these places.
Restrictions will be imposed in districts after examining the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals. The health department has been asked to file a report regarding this to the district disaster management authority every Thursday. Based on this, the disaster management authority will classify the district as A, B, C. This classification will be announced on all Fridays.
In places that fall under the A category, only 50 people will be allowed in all social, cultural, religious, political and public programmes, weddings and funerals.
In the B category, only 20 people are allowed in wedding and funeral ceremonies. No social, cultural, religious, political or public programmes will be permitted. Religious worships must be held online.
In the C category, a complete ban will be in place for social, cultural, religious, political and public programmes. Religious ceremonies like offerings and prayers must be held online. Only 20 people will be allowed for wedding and funeral ceremonies. Operation of film theatres, swimming pools and gyms will not be allowed.
As per the government order, offline classes at tuition centres will not be permitted. This rule will not be applicable for residential educational institutions which function in a bio-bubble manner.