Citing a continuous rise in the number of new Covid-positive cases reported every week between December 9 and January 25, the Kerala health department has sought stringent measures in districts — Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kollam.
Thiruvanantha-puram, Wayanad and Kannur have also witnessed a slight increase in cases. A Covid review report has been submitted to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The guidelines on the new restrictions are likely to be finalised soon.
The department has suggested that permissible occupancy in public transport should be reduced to 50%, offices be allowed to function only with 50% capacity in clusters and containment zones, working hours of markets and shops to be allowed only up to 7pm and no cinema shows to be permitted in five districts.
Suggestions to delay the opening of educational institutions until the pandemic is in a declining phase have also been made. It has also been mooted in the report to restrict attendance at marriages and funerals, besides reducing the capacity of in-house dining in cafes and restaurants to 50%