Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan has informed the Centre that the State would have a cautious approach on lifting the lockdown after May 03 and would favour having a partial lockdown till May 15. The Chief Minister has informed the State’s opinion to the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah.

In a telephonic conversation with the Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister has asked for a national policy on lockdown that also caters to State-specific and regional needs. “The State would prefer having a partial lockdown till May 15 and then review the lockdown based on the Covid situation then. The State is of the opinion that, in districts where no cases are reported in the previous week, relaxations on public movement and public transport can be partially allowed by adhering to all safety precautions. Inter-district and inter-State traffic should be regulated till May 15”, he added.

The State Government had earlier announced a few relaxations and exemptions in the lockdown in concurrence with the Central Government guidelines.

Minister of Health & Social Justice, Smt K K Shailaja; Revenue Minister, Shri E Chandrasekharan, and Chief Secretary, Shri Tom Jose IAS were also present during the media briefing.