The Kerala government announced on Tuesday that during Onam, Muharram, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chathurthi, and Durga Pooja, no public celebrations or mass gatherings will be permitted in the state since they could develop into super spreaders events, creating an increase in Covid-19 instances. The order is set to take effect on August 12th.
The decision was made by Kerala’s Disaster Management Department in light of a warning issued by the Centre to all states about the possibility of mass gatherings during upcoming festivals becoming super spreaders of Covid-19, resulting in a spike in infections, according to Chief Secretary V P Joy’s order.
The decree stated, “In light of the central government’s guidance, the Kerala government has determined that no public celebrations or mass gatherings will be tolerated in the State during the above-mentioned festivals.”
From August 12 onwards, Panchayats or urban wards where the illness spread is serious and the Weekly Infection Population Ratio (WIPR) is above 8 will be subjected to special enhanced harsh lockdown measures.
From August 15, a maximum of 15,000 devotees per day will be allowed for Sabarimala pilgrimage and ‘darshan,’ and virtual line registration will be used to regulate crowds. Those who have not yet received a single dose of vaccination, have not had a negative RT-PCR test in the last 72 hours, or have not been infected with Covid-19 in the last month are eligible to participate in certain critical activities.
Those who have not yet had Covid-19 inoculation or who are unable to receive the vaccine owing to a medication allergy or other illness can leave their homes to acquire essential commodities such as groceries, milk, meat, and fish.
If no other members of the household have been vaccinated or have a negative RT-PCR result If such individuals are obliged to visit shops, traders and merchants must provide them priority service, and local self-government organisations must pay special attention to them and arrange home delivery of vital commodities, according to the order.
A negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test report is also required for people waiting up at liquor stores, according to the state government. According to the directive, people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 must now show their vaccine certificates at the liquor store.
Meanwhile, Kerala recorded 21,119 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total infection caseload to 35,86,693, with the state’s test positivity rate approaching 16%. With 152 more deaths, the total number of persons who died from the illness has risen to 18,004.
