THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There may be more relaxations on lockdowns in the state. A review meeting has started in Thiruvananthapuram to take a final decision in this regard. The chief minister is attending the meeting online as he is in New Delhi.

Shops may be allowed to open every day as part of Bakrid. The time for closing the shops may be extended. The expert panel directed that local bodies should not be restricted on the basis of TPR and that it should be based on the number of Covid patients.

In many places, efforts are being made to increase the number of tests and reduce the TPR. The panel also pointed out the unscientific nature of opening shops only on certain days. A heavy crowd is seen in shops on the opening days.

The traders had staged huge protests yesterday demanding permission to open shops in Mittai Theruvu. The traders' protest and the unscientific nature of the regulations raised by the expert committee will be discussed in detail at the meeting. This will be followed by a decision on the relaxations.

The second phase of the complete lockdown was implemented on May 8 in the state. There are several panchayats that have not received any relaxations even once in two months in the lockdown of the second wave of Covid. Many panchayats have been closed for 60 days as control has shifted to the local level. Many have expressed dissatisfaction with the changing standards of living including on social media. Meanwhile, a review meeting is being convened to decide on the relaxations.