KOCHI: The Kerala government which didnt favour the proposal for a complete lockdown to curb the spiralling coronavirus transmission in the state has adopted alternative measures to manage the situation.
By announcing prohibitory order under Sec 144 of the CrPC in all the 14 districts, the government aims at ensuring social distancing and preventing mass gatherings without enforcing total lockdown.State chief secretary Vishwas Mehta had issued an order banning gathering of more than five persons at a time and the district collectors were directed to announce provisions of Sec 144 after assessing the ground situation in respective districts.Based on the order, collectors of all the 14 districts imposed prohibitory order to prevent the possibility for a super spread of the virus.While series of guidelines have been issued to ensure social distancing and prevent crowding in public places, there is no restriction on public transport, traffic and operation of government and private offices, banks and shops, except in containment zones.Dos and dontsBan on gathering of five persons at a time.
Shops, banks, offices and other commercial firms should strictly comply with the orderBan on evening, morning walk at beaches and parksNo sports events and training is allowed in gymnasiums, turfs and groundsAir condition not allowed in any institution except hospitalsSanitizers and thermal guns mandatory in all institutionsPublic places, bus stands and markets have to be disinfected every dayPeople are requested not to step out of homes unnecessaryIndoor meetings allowed with maximum 20 participants by strictly complying with the health protocolsFifty persons allowed in marriage functions, 20 people for funeralsExaminations announced before October 2 will be conducted as per scheduleNo ban on public transportContainment zones have stricter restrictions.
No one will be allowed to enter or exit the zone except for emergency purposes.
Only essential services including sale of essential goods, medicines and food items would be allowed in containment zones.
The prohibitory order will be in place till October 31.Meanwhile, Kerala reported the highest single-day spike of 9,258 cases on Friday with four districts Kozhikode (1146), Thiruvananthapuram (1096), Ernakulam (1042) and Malappuram (1016) recording more than thousand cases.