More restrictions in Kerala, only essential goods stores will be allowed to open from June 5 to 9

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that additional restrictions will be imposed to reduce the COVID test positivity rate in the state. The restrictions will be imposed from June 5 to 9. He was speaking at the COVID review meeting.

Commercial establishments that have been permitted to operate can operate on June 4 from 9 am to 7 pm. They will not be permitted to open from June 5 to 9. Only shops selling essential goods, raw materials for industrial establishments (including packaging) and shops selling construction materials will be allowed to operate from June 5 to 9.

Government and quasi-government institutions, public sector undertakings, corporations, and commissions, will start functioning with 50 percent of the staff from June 10 onwards. Earlier, it was scheduled that these offices will start functioning from June 7 onwards.

People with travel permits within the state (including delivery agents) are not required to carry a COVID negative certificate. Only those coming from outside the state should keep such certificates.