THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday announced that the state entrance examinations for various medical and engineering courses have been postponed in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. The Chief Minister was speaking at a press conference here.

Pinarayi Vijayan added that fresh dates of the exams will be announced later. The Chief Minister also added that the government is considering to provide alcohol to those people suffering from alcoholism based on prescriptions from doctors. According to the Chief Minister, several reports have come out suggesting that a number of people are struggling with withdrawal symptoms due to the unavailability of alcohol following the closing down of beverage outlets across the state. Special instructions will be given to the excise department regarding this, he added.

The Chief Minister also added that the distribution of newspapers comes under essential service and must not be hindered. We have received information that the newspaper distribution is being disrupted at certain areas and this is unacceptable, he added.