Thiruvananthapuram:
With coronavirus cases gradually increasing in Kerala,the state government, on Sunday, has decided to extend the lockdown,till July 2021, in the state for the next one year as a preventive measure.
The government has amended the state Epidemic Disease Ordinance, putting the Covid-control regulations in the state in place for the next one year.
The Kerala Health Department has issued a notification,extending the enforcement of state’s Covid-19 safety guidelines till July 2021 after amending the state Epidemic Disease Ordinance. Wearing masks or face covers in public and social distancing are among the rules that will be mandatory.
An amount of Rs 10,000 will be fined for not wearing masks in public places.
The development comes as the coronavirus cases in the state on Saturday crossed 5,000 mark with 240 fresh cases being reported. It was the highest single-day surge so far.Of the total positive cases, 152 had come from abroad and 52 from other states, Health minister KK Shailaja said.
With the addition of the fresh cases,the infection count has touched 5,204. However, there have been 209 recoveries on Saturday.
Issuing a notification,the state government said masks will also have to be worn by people at workplaces and a six-feet social distancing will apply everywhere in the state for the next one year.
Some of the new rules are-
– All people in the state must wear face mask or face cover in public places. Wearing mask in workplaces is also a must in the state.
– All must maintain strict social distance at public place.
– Maximum 50 people are allowed to attend marriage celebrations in Kerala.
– Maximum 20 people will be permitted for funeral in the state.
-Special permission from local authority will be required for people to hond or attend large gathering.
– Spitting in public places is strictly prohibited and will be treated as punishable offence.
– People travelling to Kerala from other states need to register themselves on Kerala government’s Jagratha e-platform.
– Maximum 20 people will be allowed at any shops across the state.