Lockdown announced after making sure things would go awry, DGP’s report was also crucial

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government was forced to announce a lockdown at time when they failed to control Covid even after imposing strict restrictions. The chief minister had yesterday asked the police not to stop those going for domestic work and daily wagers for any reason. The government did not resort to lockout as it would weaken the state's economy. However, with no other option, the government had to impose a complete lockdown.

The government thought to bring things under control by announcing a mini-lockdown. That is why the government did not announce a lockdown, despite repeated calls from the doctors' union. However, the police had submitted a report on the first day itself that a mini-lockdown that began on Tuesday did not yield any significant results.

About 80 % stepping out were making unnecessary trips. The DGP’s report said that on interrogation, they say lame excuses. A complete lockdown came for consideration soon after the report was handed over to the chief minister. The government did not have time to wait as the report mentioned a spike in cases next week.

The Union Health Ministry had earlier directed that a complete lockdown be announced in districts where the test positivity rate is above 15 per cent. The test positivity rate in all districts except Kollam and Pathanamthitta was between fifteen to twenty. However, all parties opposed a complete lockdown as it would paralyze normal life at the all-party meet convened.

The restrictions will be stricter than the lockdown announced during the first wave. The police have been instructed to register cases against those who step out unnecessarily and to seize private vehicles. Textiles shop and barber shops were closed even before the lockdown was announced.