THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : With Kerala witnessing a massive increase in COVID-19 cases, ban orders went into effect across the state on Saturday morning according to which no more than five people can gather anywhere, including banks, shops and commercial establishments.
There is no restriction to the movement of public transport and government institutions, commercial establishments, industries, hospitals can operate adhering to social distancing and breaking the protocols of the chain. While in Idukki, only the areas of the city, including the tourist hotspot of Munnar, Adimali and Vandiperiyar, the order CrPC 144 will go into effect, in the district of Kasaragod, the order will be implemented until October 9.
In the remaining 12 districts, the prohibition orders would be in effect until the end of the month. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned that those who violate the new restrictions will face strict measures. While visiting stores, people must wear masks and gloves, ensure social distancing, and if they do not comply with the COVID-19 protocol, they will have to face action, Vijayan said in an online feature here Saturday morning.
Since the gatherings pose an imminent danger of a super-spread of the infection, the state government issued the ban order, which took effect as of 9 a.m. on Saturday. Kerala on Friday reported the largest single-day increase of 9,258 coronavirus cases after more than 60,000 samples were analyzed, forcing the government to take strict measures to stop the spread of the virus, which has so far claimed 791 lives. in the state.
The total infection count has skyrocketed to 2.12 lakh. In the order issued by the Thiruvananthapuram district collector Navjot Khosa, more than five people are unable to gather in public places across the district, where so far 36,433 people have been infected with COVID-19 and 12,223 are currently in treatment. With a further increase in COVID-19 cases imminent and with category B and C patients requiring hospitalization and intensive care, increasingly stringent bans need to be put in place, otherwise it will become serious endangers human life in large quantities, the collector said in the order. Khosa stated that the district medical officer had reported that in the event of an uncontrollable surge, the district’s health infrastructure will be overwhelmed, which can lead to high mortality.
Within the containment zones, no congregation or public function (interior and exterior) of more than five people will be allowed, except weddings and funerals, where up to 20 people will be allowed, the collector said. The movement of people in and out of the containment zones will not be allowed, except for medical emergencies and maintenance of the supply of essential goods and services.
Outside of containment zones, marriages can be performed with the participation of 50 people, subject to the people following strict COVID-19 protocols. All public exams that were announced prior to October 2 will run on schedule. Four districts in the southern state reported more than 1,000 cases on Friday, the highest being Kozhikode 1146, Thiruvananthapuram 1096, Ernakulam 1042 and Malappuram 1016, while Kollam accounted for 892 cases and Thrissur 812.
While 77,482 people are currently under treatment, 1.35 lakh have recovered from the disease, said Health Minister KK Shailaja. Of the positive cases, 8274 were infected by contact and the origin of the infection 657 is unknown.
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