As the number of new Covid-19 patients crossed 37,199 mark and 49 persons succumbing to the pandemic on Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hinted of the possibilities of a total lock-down in Kerala.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister , who was in a jubilant mood in the backdrop of the exit poll results announced by certain TV channels on Thursday that gave the CPI(M)-led LDF a clear victory, asked people to strictly adhere to the weeknd lock down which will be in force on Saturday and Sunday.
“I am asking the people of the State to cancel their programmes to go out of the house for the next two days. The police have been given full authority to check each individual and vehicle that comes out to the roads and examine the authenticity of the purpose of the outings,” said Vijayan.
The Test Positivity Rate in the State as on Friday was 24.88 per cent. “There are certain districts which show unusual hike in the number of patients and the spread of the pandemic. The Government is seriously considering to declare total lock down in such districts,” said the chief minister.
Both Central and State Government offices in Kerala would function with a minimum staff as the pandemic was going out of control. Banks have been instructed to restrict their operations only through on-line and shut down the branches after 1 pm, disclosed the chief minister.
Vijayan said he had asked the health department to ensure that medical care was made available to non-Covid patients who make it to the hospitals. The Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association in a letter to the Chief Secretary had pointed out that there was a shortage of more than 1,000 doctors in the government hospitals in addition to a dearth of medical professionals. But the Chief Minister did not make any references to the concerns expressed by the doctors who had also told the Government that the health care system in the State was facing severe crisis.
From Tuesday, Kerala will see strict laws with regard to crowding of people as well as functioning of business establishments. Hotels would be allowed only to sell packed foods while the number of devotees and faithful who crowd places of worship would be restricted to 50.