Lockdown in Kerala from May 8-16 as Covid-19 cases rise

Kerala government on Thursday announced a lockdown from May 8 to 16 in view of the Covid surge. Already a partial lockdown was in place in the state from Tuesday till Sunday.

The Chief Minister's office informed that the lockdown was being imposed from 6 am on May 8.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier indicated that a lockdown would be required if the Covid scenario worsened. Doctors were also urging the government to impose total lockdown to contain the surge.

While the daily Covid cases in Kerala crossed the 40,000 mark on Wednesday, experts had alerted the government that the numbers would peak further. Test positivity rate was also remaining above 25 per cent over the last several days.

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Most worrying factor is the drastic increase in number of active cases, which reached 3.75 lakh by Wednesday. Even as 90 percent of the patients were not having serious medical issues, the state also started feeling hospital bed scarcity and high demand for oxygen. The Chief Minister had also urged the centre for more oxygen allocation.

The only relief for Kerala in this grim scenario is the comparatively low death rate of 0.32 percent. The good health care system in Kerala is said to be the key reason. However as the patient load factor increases, the effectiveness of the health sector would also suffer, experts pointed out.

Even as a total lockdown will be imposed in the state from May 8 to 16, various exemptions have been given. Apart from essential services, some other sectors like construction, ecommerce, agriculture, fisheries, and vehicle service would be allowed. Shops selling vegetables and food items would be allowed to function till 7.30 pm, while banks and other financial services will be allowed only from 10 am to 1 pm for the public.

Government offices, except those involved in essential and emergency services, will remain closed. While road and water transport services would be suspended, private vehicles would be allowed only for emergency purposes. Only 20 persons would be allowed at marriages and funerals.

The government warned of action under Disaster Management Act and Kerala Epidemic Diseases Ordinance against those violating the norms.