THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An experts’ panel has recommended imposing a two-week-long lockdown in the state in the wake of the rapid spread of the pandemic. A decision in this regard will be taken today itself. The government will only take a final decision after discussing the matter in the ongoing all-party meet. If the nay-sayers against lockdown are higher in the all-party meet, then the restrictions imposed in Ernakulam on Sunday will be expanded across the state. Considering everybody’s opinion in the all-party meet, chief minister will declare the final decision on today evening at 5 pm.

The covid experts’ panel which held a meeting yesterday night recommended a two-week-long lockdown. The UK variant of the covid 19 is rapidly spreading in the state. With the increase in interstate travel, the double variant of the virus which is powerful in the state of Maharashtra may reach the state soon. If the spread of this variant needs to be prevented then people’s contact must be limited atleast for two weeks.

When the second wave-lashed in Punjab and Haryana, the health experts in these states have also recommended a similar two-week lockdown, which was denied by the state governments. The members of the covid 19 panel in Kerala now state that the rapid spread of the pandemic in Delhi is due to the lackadaisical attitude of the Haryana and Punjab governments. The state government which received the report of the panel today morning has also loosened its tight stand against lockdown.