​​​​​THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the second wave of covid 19 has started to subside in Kerala, the state is heading towards an unlock. Ahead of it, from today onwards more relaxations in lockdown may come up. Even though the current lockdown is extended up to June 9, more relaxations might be implemented as the test positivity rate go down.

From today onwards industrial units in Kerala can function with 50 per cent of staff. Meanwhile, business establishments like textile, jewellery shops, book stalls and stationery shops can open three days a week. Similar to the previous lockdown, banks can also function only in three days but the working hours have been extended up to 5 pm.

The government has decided to allow more relaxations as the test positivity rate in the state has come down below 20 per cent. The government also hold the view that lockdown was effective in controlling the pandemic’s spread but the high death rate prevents the government from withdrawing lockdown. Therefore inter-district travel still remains banned. Meanwhile, the TPR is still high in most of the panchayats in the capital district. The government has decided to impose severe restrictions on these panchayats.