THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : 14 more persons have been diagnosed with Covid-19 on Tuesday, raising the numbers of those under treatment to 105 in the State. The list of 14 new cases reported today also includes a woman health worker. Of the 14 infected, 6 belong to Kasaragod district and 2 are Kozhikode natives. 8 of them had flown in from Dubai. 72,460 people are currently under observation, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday.
164 person have been admitted into hospitals in this one day alone. Blood samples from 4,516 persons had been sent for tests, of which 3.331 were ruled out negative.
Today is the first day, Kerala went under lockdown. It is a first-time experience for the State.. We must conduct ourselves in line with seriousness of the situation. It is disheartening, to still find people indulge in unnecessary travel and outdoor activities. All advices and instructions related to the lockdown has been listed in the govt notification publicised yesterday.
It is high time all service vehicles stopped their plying. Autos and taxis should collect trips only for medical cases or for purchase of medicines. Only one adult apart from the driver would be allowed in any given vehicle.
Prohibitory Orders in the State disallow assembly of more than five persons, whatever the occasion. At the same time, department stores, super markets, shops selling food, provisions, milk, eggs, meat, chicken, cattle feed and also bakeries, must remain open from 7 am until 5 pm everyday.
Kasaragod will continue in line with decisions taken earlier for the district. Each should remember the restrictions and abide by that. Today despite the lockdown, people were seen making journeys in their private vehicles. Only absolutely essential trips should be made rather than using the situation as outing opportunity. Now on, those journeying will be asked to submit affidavit stating purpose, destination, route, vehicle details , said CM.
If reasons stated in the affidavit are verified to be in variance with actual purpose, the police shall move in with stringent action. While department stores, groceries, bakeries and shops selling meat, milk and chicken will function from 7 am – 5 pm, opening hours in Kasaragod will continue the restrictive schedule.
People should trip to shops to buy bare essentials only. In doing so, they should shop and checkout in minimal time so there is safe personal space for the staff, themselves and other customers at any given time.
All said, shopkeepers should not eye the current scenario as opportunity to exploit or hoard. There will be stern action against anyone trying to super-hike prices or hoard up commodities. Authorities have revived tips on such trends in some parats of the State. The system shall be strengthened to detect such exploits and book the guilty.
Special pass shall be issued to those for whom travel is an absolute essential, Media persons and govt employees can use their official cards for the purpose. Staff working with shops and other permitted establishments can avail the pass, said CM.
Media persons returning from and at work should prioritise their safety. The govt shall make food and shelter arrangements for those living on streets, CM added.
