Lockdown to be extended in the state by another week, decision on more relaxations to be taken today 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lockdown might be extended in the state by another week. A final decision in this regard will be taken in the covid evaluation meet to be held on Saturday. Meanwhile, the centre has asked to relax the norms only if the test positivity rate (TPR) goes below 10 per cent.

The TPR in the state for the last 24 hours is 16.4 per cent. TPR still continues to be high in all the four districts where triple lockdown was imposed previously. Sources say even if relaxations are given it would be implemented only in different phases. In the wake of the rapid spread of the pandemic, the state government is approaching the issue with caution and greater vigil.

The government might give the nod to open stationery shops so that notebooks and bags could be purchased for school and college-going students. Along with this, as the evaluation camps of various exams are going on, the government might give a nod for public transportation along with certain restrictions.