On Saturday, the Kerala government released a standard operating protocol according to which only certain essential services will be allowed, as the state will be on complete lockdown on Sundays, beginning May 10, regardless of the red, orange or green zone. the regulation is not just to prevent COVID-19 but also to reduce carbon emissions and to protect the environment, said Chief Secretary Tom Jose.
What is permitted
- Shops selling essential items can be open
- Collection and distribution of milk
- Take away counters of hotels from 8 am to 9 pm
- Online delivery upto 10 pm
- Walking and cycling
- Supply of newspapers
- No social gathering is permitted except for marriages and funerals
- Movement of goods vehicles
Agencies that can function
- Media outlets, hospitals, medical stores, medical labs and related institutions
- Departments, agencies and activities connected with COVID-19 containment
- Agencies in the field of waste disposal
- All manufacturing and processing activities of continuous nature and ongoing construction activities
Only persons related to health emergencies, government servants on emergency duties, persons engaged in activities connected with COVID-19 containment and persons responsible for conducting rituals at religious institutions will be allowed to move around on Sundays.
Others will have to obtain passes from District Collectors or police authorities.
Nine roads in three Municipal Corporations will remain closed for motorised traffic, except for emergencies and essential goods vehicles, from 5 am to 10 am. Only non-motorised traffic (walking and cycling) will be permitted on these roads.
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation: From Museum Junction to Vellayambalam, Kowdiar – Rajbhavan – Vellayambalam and Pattom – Kuravankonam – Kowdiar.
Kochi Corporation: BTH to High Court Junction, Manorama Junction to Panampally Nagar, the entire stretch of Stadium Link Road and approach road to GCDA stadium in Kaloor.
Kozhikode Corporation: Beach road, PHED Road from Eranhipalam to Sarovaram Park, Vellimadukunnu – Kovoor road.
No social affair is allowed apart from marriages and funerals, adding all manufacturing and processing activities of “continuous nature and ongoing construction activities” are going to be allowed.
“Movement of persons on Sundays is allowed just for health emergencies, government servants on emergency duties and persons engaged in activities connected with COVID-19 containment… the other movement of persons, if any in exigencies, shall only be with the travel passes obtained from district collector or police authorities concerned,” the govt said. The number of coronavirus cases in the state total of 505.
