THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the restrictions will have to be tightened in the event of an increase in the spread of COVID. Crowded social, cultural and religious events should be avoided. Restrictions will continue in places of worship. The number of people in small places of worship will be reduced again. There will be no lockdown in the state. However, the curfew imposed over the weekend will continue. Only essential and emergency services will be allowed during the weekend curfew. The maximum number of people attending wedding ceremonies has been further reduced to 50.

Celebrations will be avoided on the day of counting and following days. Only those who have duty, counting agents of parties and media persons will be allowed to enter the counting centres, The public will not be allowed to visit the counting centres. People entering the counting centres must have taken two doses of the COVID vaccine. Those who haven't received two doses should produce RT-PCR negative certificate obtained within 72 hours. The CM said that meetings should be held online and that only 50 percent of staff should be present in government offices on rotation.

The deadly UK variant of COVID and the South African variant have been found in many places in Kerala. The UK variant was found in northern Kerala. Therefore, people must exercise extreme caution. Classes of private schools shall be conducted online. Restrictions will remain in place from 9 pm to 5 am. There should be no gathering during this time. Concessions are available for essential services. Restaurants can run up to 9. However, only takeaway service will be allowed after 7.30 pm. The home delivery system should be encouraged as much as possible.