This story is from June 1, 2020

Kerala may announce relaxations today

The state government is expected to come out with a detailed list of relaxations in lockdown rules on Monday based on the three-phased re-opening suggested by the Centre.
Kerala may announce relaxations today
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is expected to come out with a detailed list of relaxations in lockdown rules on Monday based on the three-phased re-opening suggested by the Centre.
The central guidelines, issued on Saturday, had given a bigger say for states on SOPs on the basis of situation prevailing in each state. A high-level meeting convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will decide on the state's new SOPs.

The state government is, however, concerned about the opening up of inter-state transport from June 1. "There will be no restrictions on inter-state or intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements," the central directive had said.
"The guidelines issued by the Centre will be implemented in the state after ensuring the safety of people here. The state government had taken similar decisions in all its phased relaxations," tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said.
"We will have to continue with the present registration process for those coming from other states. We cannot take a risk there. We have to know who all are coming, from where and where they are going. All these details have to be put on record for surveillance and monitoring," he said.
On places of worship, Surendran -- also the devaswom minister -- said the state government was not against opening them but all safety measures would have to be taken before allowing a large number of people to visit them.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, meanwhile, demanded opening places of worship in the state. "This has been a long-pending demand of devotees; there is no hindrance to opening places of worship now with the new guidelines issued by the Centre," he said.
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