THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has decided to tighten the restrictions in light of the spike in Covid cases in the state. The decision was taken at the Covid review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. The action is based on the assessment that the relaxation of restrictions has contributed to the spread of the disease. It was also decided to increase the daily Covid tests to one lakh.

The meeting attributed the spread of the disease to the easing of restrictions and general lack of vigilance. The situation can get worse if the regulations are not strictly adhered to. Covid standards must be strictly adhered to when organizing public events. Social distancing and mask will be mandatory. It was also decided to deploy police to monitor compliance with the standards. Restrictions will be more stringent at the containment zones. The government is working to reduce the spread of the disease by mid-February.

Standards should also be strictly adhered to at wedding ceremonies. No more than a hundred people should gather for any reason. The CM also directed that 75 percent of the tests should be RTPCR testing. The meeting also directed that the ward level committees for Covid defense should be reorganized under the leadership of the ward member as new office bearers are appointed in the local bodies.