Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi has announced the easing of lockdown-like restriction in the state but the government also extended the lockdown till June 9.
“The Covid spread is coming down and on Saturday the test positivity rate (TPR) stood at 16.59 percent, while the average for the past three days was 20 percent. When we imposed the lockdown earlier this month, our objective was to bring down the active cases to less than 2.50 lakhs, and that we achieved yesterday. We will have to continue with caution as things have to be further brought under control and hence we decided to extend the lockdown till June 9,” said Vijayan.
Vijayan however said that more easing of lockdown norms will be there which will include banking workings for full day on three week-days Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, whereas jewelry, textiles, and book shops can open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
“If we have to declare a complete unlock, then the TPR has to further come down and the three day moving average has to be less than 15 per cent. Moreover the occupancy of ICU beds government has to come down below 60 per cent, while on Saturday it’s above 70 per cent. If we declare unlock before that, it will be troublesome, so let us all wait for things to get below the acceptable levels,” added Vijayan.
Vijayan said 23,513 people were tested positive after 1,41,759 samples collected in the past 24 hours.
“At present, there are 2,33,034 active cases. There were 28,100 people who turned negative taking the total cured in the state to 22,52,505. There were 198 Covid deaths taking the death toll to 8,455 and there were 8,35,866 people under observation at various places which includes 39,466 people at hospitals.”
“Vaccines companies have expressed their interests to set up manufacturing units at our Life Sciences Park complex. This was conveyed by them at a webinar. It has also been decided to reduce the gap between the first dose and second dose for all those who are proceeding abroad for work or as students. A certificate will be given mentioning the passport number to the concerned person,” added Vijayan.
