Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 28:.#PrdliveUpdate:  Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today said that strict compliance with the Covid protocol was necessary to control the outbreak of the pandemic in the State and strict action including higher penalties would be charged against those who violate Covid norms.

Briefing the media, the Chief Minister said, “Since the first case was reported in the State, we were far ahead in controlling the spread of the disease but now that situation is beginning to change. On an average, the number of patients is doubling in every 20 days. The case per million in Kerala is 5,143 as compared to the national average of 5,852. However, the case fatality rate is much better than the national average. While the national average is 1.6%, here it is only 0.4% but this will increase according to the rise in the number of patients. Patients are benefiting from the excellent care and facilities that we provide but we have to make arrangements to accommodate the rising numbers. So it’s imperative that we keep the numbers from not going beyond what we can manage.”

Strict action will be taken against those not following social distancing. Wearing masks is mandatory and those who don’t wear masks in public will be strictly penalised. Shop owners will have to ensure they comply with the Covid norms and action will be taken against shop owners also if norms are violated. The restrictions of 50 people for marriage functions and 20 for funerals should be strictly followed.

The CM also informed that gazetted officers in Government service will be assigned with special powers to help in supervising Covid related work in all LSG bodies. “An all-party meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss the current situation in the State, and also to request their cooperation and support in containing the outbreak.”