THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced a change in the funeral protocol of Covid victims. Speaking at the press meet, he said that the family of the Covid victims will be allowed to take the mortal remains to their households so that close relatives can pay their respects and perform limited religious rites. He also said that that the body can be kept at home for less than an hour.

"Family members and relatives are unable to pay their last respects to those who died of COVID-19. This is adding to emotional distress. To address it, the bodies of those who died of COVID-19 will be allowed to be taken home. The body can be kept for up to one hour," he said.

He also informed that the banks have been directed to halt the revenue recovery proceedings of Covid victims who have defaulted on bank loans.