Kerala’s Covid graph has been showing a steady increase for the past some days even as the state government has come up with further relaxations, allowing inter-district public transport and opening of hotels and restaurants.
Addressing mediamen in Thiruvananthapuram, State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the government has decided to give relaxation in some areas in concurrence with the central government plan of lifting the lockdown. He said that the state was for a phased and gradual withdrawal of restrictions.
Inter-district bus travel between two adjacent districts has been allowed with only sitting seat occupancy, he said. “Sanitisers should be provided in the bus and the use of the mask is mandatory. Four-wheelers can have driver plus maximum of three passengers while three-wheelers can have maximum of two passengers,” he said.
With respect to film and serial shooting, Vijayan said indoor shooting for movies will be allowed with maximum participation of 50 people and for television channels with a maximum of 25 people.
He also mentioned that marriages will be allowed at Guruvayoor Temple with maximum participation of 50 persons. This is applicable to all auditoriums and other halls. Normal opening of schools can be considered in July or afterwards depending on the situation, the Chief Minister said.
He said that those travelling to Kerala from other States will have to register on the Covid Jagratha portal and get the e-Pass. Those who have to go to other States for work and cross the border daily will be issued 15 days pass and those coming from other States to work here will be issued 10 days pass.
With the new academic year in schools started on June 1 with online classes through Victers TV channel, Vijayan said that special arrangements will be made for students without TV or Internet at home.
The classes are conducted on the Education Department’s Victers TV channel and are also streamed on Victer’s Facebook and YouTube channel. Announcing a programme for students who do not have access to online education with no television or smartphone at home to watch classes, the Chief Minister said “the Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE) will sponsor neighbourhood study centres for these children. KSFE will subsidize 75 per cent of the cost of televisions. Twenty five percent of the cost of television and other expenses of setting up the centre must be met by local governments or sponsors. KSFE is coming out with a scheme to purchase laptops through Kudumbasree.”
