Kerala moves to ease some COVID-19 restrictions

Dubai: As India headed into Lockdown 4.0, the southern state of Kerala is easing some of the restrictions without compromising the efforts to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, reports said.

Amid reports of 29 new COVID-19 cases in the state, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Monday that shopping complexes, not malls, will be reopened with only 50 per cent shops operating on alternate days.

Barber shops and beauty parlours will be permitted to accept customers, who must bring their towels. Only hair cutting and shaving services will be allowed, and the shops are prevented from using air-conditioning.

Although no dates have been announced, public transport buses will be allowed to operate within districts, but with 50 per cent seating capacity.

Inter-district travel remains prohibited for public transport vehicles. But people can travel between districts in private cars, No pass is required for trips between 7am to 7pm, but travellers will need to produce identification cards, Vijayan said.

"People travelling for work in other districts regularly must obtain permission from the collector or police. Those residing in containment zones will remain under scrutiny," the chief minister added.

Taxis and autorickshaws (three-wheeled vehicles) will be permitted to ply the roads with restrictions. Cabs can have only two passengers per trip, while only one passenger can ride the autorickshaw.

Although earlier reports said that the sale of liquor would commence in the state on Wednesday, Vijayan clarified that liquor shops would be reopened after online registration gets underway.

"The state-run liquor shops Bevco (Beverage Corporation) will open after the online system gets ready. Bars can sell liquor only as a takeaway from the counters. Clubs can sell food and liquor as a parcel [takeaway] for members. The restaurant can give parcel food delivery till 9pm and online parcel till 10pm," he said.

Liquor is a major money-spinner for the government. During 2018-19 fiscal, the state earned 124 billion rupees (around Dh6 billion) from the sale of alcohol.

Half the government staff must report for work at the offices, while the rest can work from home. And Saturday will be a holiday.

Although educational institutions will continue to remain shut, Kerala will conduct school examinations - the SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) and HSE (Higher Secondary Education) - will be held on schedule.