Coronavirus outbreak: Kerala unlikely to go by Centre’s advice for total shutdown

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is unlikely to go by the central government's advisory for total shutdown of seven districts that have so far reported Covid-19 cases.


A high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan here is learnt to have taken a decision in this regard. Official announcement of the same is awaited.

The meeting, however, say sources, has decided to declare near total shutdown in

Kasaragod district

which reported the highest number of Covid-19 cases till Sunday. The district reported a total 19 cases.

Depending on the number of coronavirus cases reported from other districts, the government is likely to introduce more restrictions in Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Kannur districts.

Sources say the high-level meeting has come to a conclusion that there can’t be a total shutdown of shops and other emergency establishments even in worst-hit district- Kasaragodu.

The meeting is learnt to have decided to order closure of all bars and hotels across the state, but it was still averse to the call for shutdown of beverage outlets, run by the state government. Instead, there could be stricter regulations for those queuing up in front of liquor outlets. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to address media in a few hours, the official version of the government decisions would only be available by then.

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