Kerala govt to ease COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in 2 zones from Apr 20

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 19 () The Kerala governmentannounced relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in twozones, allowing among others private vehicles movement in anodd-even basis and dine-in services at hotels from Monday.

State police chief Loknath Behera said the relaxations ofrestrictions imposed would come into effect in the Green andOrange-B zones in the state from Monday,an official releasesaid.

Earlier, the Left government had colour-coded 14districts of the state into four zones-- Red, Green, Orange-Aand Orange-B, for containing the Covid-19 pandemic.

Red zone comprises Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode andMalappuram districts.

In this zone, a complete lockdown will be in placeuntil May 3 while two entry and exit points are allowed forcarrying essential commodities to coronavirus hotspots.

Orange-A zone comprises Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam andKollam whileOrange-B zone comprises Alappuzha,Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad.

The lockdown will be in effect until April 24 in thiszone and then partial relaxation will be allowed.

Kottayam and Idukki come under the Green zone, in whichlockdown will be in effect until April 20 and then regulationswill be eased.

However, large gatherings, functioning of educationalinstitutions, religious functions, celebrations and traveloutside the district will not be allowed in this zone.

Not more than 20 people are allowed to take part inweddings and funerals, according to government instructions.

On functioning of courts, the release said, "Courts inthe Green and Orange-B zones will re-open on April 21 whilethat in Orange-A zone will start functioning from April 25.

The courts will function with 33 per cent of staff. Thecases will be heard via video conferencing."

Meanwhile, the Bankers' Council has announced that bankswill function as per the usual timings from Monday in thestate except four districts falling under the Red zone.

The Transport Ministry has clarifiedthat publictransport won't be allowed to ply in the state during thelockdown period.

"Inter-district travel will not be allowed despiterelaxations in the state, but essential services such asmedical services, food supplies will not be stopped.

However, in case of emergency, inter-district travel willbe allowed with an affidavit prepared by the traveller," Behrasaid in a release.

On the implementation of odd-even scheme for privatevehicles, the police said, "Vehicles with odd numbers will bepermitted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those with evennumbers will be allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays."

Woman drivers travelling solo or with dependants are alsoexempted from it, police said.

On Sundays, only those working for essentialservices areallowed to use their vehicles.

All education institutions, cinema halls, shopping malls,public parks, bars, places of worship will remain closed inall zones of the state.

The health department and local administration, whichcarry out sanitation work before the monsoon, are allowed tooperate.

Four-wheelers are permitted to carry two passengersbesides the driver and in case of a two-wheeler, only thedriver will be allowed while the pillion rider is allowed incase the person is a family member.

On Dine-in services, a government order said it isallowed at hotels and restaurants until 7 PM in Green andOrange-B zone from Monday and in Orange-A zone from April 24.

However, take-away counters can function until 8 PM,itsaid.

Kerala Sunday reported two positive cases of Covid-19 inthe state taking the total number of affected to 401 while thehealth department announced that 13 people were cured. RRTROH ROH