09 new Covid-19 cases reported on Mar 25, total 112 cases

Trivandrum, March 25: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan assured the people that nobody would go hungry in the State due to the 21 days lockdown announced by the Centre. “We are concerned about people moving into poverty and hunger due to this lockdown but we will ensure that this does not happen in Kerala. No one should stay hungry and we will take steps to mitigate this issue”, he said while briefing the media at the Government Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Chief Minister also announced that nine new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the State today taking the total count in Kerala to 112. Six cases were tested negative. Of the new cases, three from Ernakulam district, two each from Palakkad and Pathanamthitta districts, and one each from Idukki and Kozhikode districts. Four of these new patients have returned from Dubai, one each from the UK and France, and the remaining three have got from local contact. One of them is a taxi driver who ferried a French tourist.

One patient each from Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur was discharged on Wednesday from the hospital following their recovery. It may be noted that no fresh case has been reported from Kasargod district on wednesday.

As on 25th, 76,542 people are under observation across the State out of which 76,010 are in their house and 532 in hospitals. 122 persons were hospitalised today. Of the 4,902 samples sent for testing, 3,465 have tested negative.

Of the total 118 virus-infected cases reported so far in Kerala, 91 are non-residents who have come back to the State from overseas, eight are foreign nationals and 19 have got infected through local contact. 12 persons have recovered completely from the disease.

The CM announced the decision of the Cabinet to come out with the Kerala Epidemic Disease Ordinance 2020. “This ordinance would help the government take adequate steps to tackle the pandemic outbreak in the State. This ordinance would give the government more powers to curb the gatherings, put restrictions on public and personal transport; and regulate public and religious places.”

“We would strictly enforce the lockdown. People should stay indoors and explore ways of utilising their time productively. We saw today also that people are reluctant to abide by the lockdown. We have to remember that today’s situation is exactly opposite to the circumstances during the 2018 floods where people were forced to move out of their houses. Those found violating the lockdown would be dealt sternly”, he added.

Local Self Government institutions would ensure the supply for food items to those affected by the lockdown so that there is no starvation in the state. LSG bodies would start community kitchens to prepare food and deliver them to the homes of the sick, elderly and those staying alone. Every Panchayath and Municipality should conduct a survey to identify the genuine people who would require this service. People staying in isolation at homes and sick patients (from other ailments) can utilise this service. There will be a local contact number for the needy to request food. Volunteers would be deployed at the ward level for distribution of food. Those who would go to deliver the food should take and follow all safety precautions. Transgenders will also be provided with special shelter and food during this lockdown period.

Talking about the harvest season in Kerala, the Chief Minister said that arrangements would be made by the LSG bodies and Cooperative Societies for harvesting, local procurement and storage of grains. District Collectors of Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur and Palakkad have been instructed to do the needful in this regard.

The CM today reiterated that State government would do everything possible to help those stranded at the interstate borders with Kerala. Those in other states should refrain from travelling to Kerala and those who have entered would be quarantined at the nearby Corona Care Cente for mandatory 14 days. “We expect people to cooperate with us. They should not violate the conditions enforced during the quarantine.”

The Forest Department and Horticorp have been declared as essential services so as to ensure smooth procurement and supply of fruits and vegetables locally and also from other states. People can utilise this lockdown period to develop kitchen garden and cultivate vegetables at home.