Kerala Government Relaxes Lock Down Rules: Implements Odd-Even Scheme Across Districts

The government has colour coded 14 districts in the state into four zones — Red, Orange-A, Orange-B, and Green, in order to contain the Covid-19 virus. Districts fall into zones depending on the concentration of the virus.

The Red Zone includes Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram. A complete lock down will be in effect until 3 May at all Red Zones. Two points of entry and exit will remain open for essential and medical services only.

The Orange-A Zone and Orange-B Zone include districts of Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam & Kollam, and Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad, respectively. A full lock down will remain in effect until 24 April, after which some rules will be relaxed.

The Green Zone includes Kottayam and Idukki where a full lock down will remain in effect until 20 April, after which some rules will be relaxed.

However, large gatherings, functioning of educational institutions, religious functions, celebrations, and travel outside any district will not be allowed even after the lock down rules are relaxed — across all zones.

In addition, the Transport Ministry has announced an odd even scheme for private vehicles that will be in effect after respective lockdowns are lifted. Vehicles with odd numbers will be allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only.

Vehicles with even numbers will be allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only. Only vehicles used by essential services will be allowed on the streets on Sundays, irrespective of even or odd numbers. Women traveling solo or with dependents are exempt from these rules. And only three people including a driver will be allowed in cars.

The Kerala Police say that this system will reduce the number of vehicles by 40 per cent, will ease traffic, and will allow for an easy transition from a full lock down to ‘back to normal'.

As is, 461 people have been infected with Covid-19 in Kerala, and the numbers are reducing thanks to the swift action of the government and the cooperation of the citizens of the state.

Thoughts About The Government Of Kerala Planning To Relax Lock Down Rules

Relaxation of lock down rules is something that all State Governments will have to do, eventually - depending on individual situations of course. Planning to relax rules shows that the Government of Kerala is confident that the Covid-19 virus has been contained within certain zones, and will be most certainly contained across the entire State fairly soon.