29 test Covid-19 positive, 130 under treatment: Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, here on Monday, said 29 new coronavirus cases in the state had raised the number of people under treatment to 130. "Of these, 21 came from abroad, 7 from other states," Vijayan said.

Stating that 630 people have tested coronavirus positive in the state, the Chief Minister said 67,316 people were under observation in homes and 473 in hospitals.

The total hotspot areas have risen to 29.

On lockdown easing, Vijayan said, "The public transport will be allowed within the district and in buses only 50 per cent seating capacity will be permitted. No standing travel is allowed. The same applies to water transport.

"Private vehicles and taxi can take three persons, including the driver, if with family then 4. Auto-rickshaws will be allowed but with only one commuter. In case of family, it can be three, including the driver. People above 65 years and children below 10 years should stay indoors as much as possible."

He said malls would not be allowed, but the shopping complexes could function with only 50 per cent shops opened. Salons could do only hair cutting and only 2 persons would be allowed in the shop. "Restaurants can open till 9 pm but only for parcel service," said Vijayan.

He said all government offices should function with only 50 per cent employees. The rest should work from home, he added.

"If required by the head of the office, such people should come to office. Saturday's will not be working day until further notice," said Vijayan and added the government employees stranded elsewhere must report to the District Collector concerned and work from there only.

For marriages only 50 people will be allowed, and for funeral services 20.

With more NRKs and Keralites stranded in other states arriving every day, the number of Covid-19 cases is rising.