Kerala government has decided to now allow any gatherings during the upcoming Onam festival season and has insisted on Covid vaccination or negative test certificate mandatory for Sabarimala pilgrims.
The state government decided to tighten the restrictions as Covid TPR of the state again crossed the 15 per cent mark and reached 15.91 per cent on Tuesday. As the Onam festival approaches, experts had cautioned against the chances of a further surge in Covid cases in the state.
A review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday decided to strictly avoid gatherings during Onam festival that is hardly ten days away.
The earlier norm that either vaccination certificate or 72 hours prior Covid negative test certificate was required even to go to shops was relaxed in view of resentment.
As Sabarimala temple opens for monthly poooja on August 15, only those who took both doses of vaccination or with 72 hour prior Covid negative test certificate would be allowed darshan through the virtual queue system.
With 21,119 fresh cases being reported on Tuesday, the number of active cases in the state reached 1.71 lakh.
As part of enhancing the vaccination drive, 20 lakh dose vaccines would be procured for private hospitals in the state.