Thiruvananthapuram : With state accomplishing 91 percent vaccination of its residents, the government eased restrictions further in its announcement on Saturday.
Restaurants and hotels will be allowed to function fully, meaning, dining would be allowed from now on. However, only those who have received two shots of the vaccines will be allowed at these eat-outs, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan clarified in the media briefing on Saturday. Also, the dining outlets would run on just 50 percent seating capacity, CM added.
Vaccine curb will not apply to those below 18.
Except for the underage, only those vaccinated with two doses can gain entry to indoor stadiums and swimming pools. Following Covid protocols are a must at all places.
Mandates such as vaccine certificate, RTPC, recovery certificates etc required for travel would not be necessary any more.
On the school reopening front, directives have been issued to the departments of Health and Education and the Police Chief to come up with a special plan to ensure safety of students. All Station House Officers are required to convene headmasters of schools in their jurisdiction and discuss measures toward safety and health of the children. Police must take responsibility of ensuring fitness of vehicles ferrying school children. They may seek help from Motor Vehicle Department for the purpose.
Vehicle repairs must be complete before 20th of October. Whether the vehicles belong to school or are privately owned, their drivers should possess at least 10 years of prior driving experience. One teacher shall be appointed as Safety Officer at all schools. The SHO shall conduct inspection at schools to ensure these appointment.
Gatherings are being held in several closed rooms and halls. These should be avoided. Basic level planning should be formulated with participation from PTA, local self-government establishments, health workers from the public health centres and personnel from Education and Health Departments.
Chances are far less of children contracting the virus. Even so, the possibility of infections among a few cannot be fully ruled out. Measures should be put in place to deal with such eventuality, the reason why governments insists on full vaccination of all who might be associated with children. Such individuals should also refrain from mingling with people on wide scale. School PTAs should be reorganised at an early time, CM instructed in the guideline.
