Why COVID-19 restriction relaxed for Bakrid? SC asks Kerala govt

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Kerala government to explain why it relaxed COVID-19 restriction for Bakrid celebrations.

The Kerala government, one of the states with a high number of active cases of COVID-19 as per Union Health Ministry has relaxed COVID-19 restrictions from July 18 to July owing to Ed-ul-Adha.

A plea was filed against the Kerala government's decision by a political analyst and entrepreneur P K D Nambiar. Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing on behalf of Nambiar, said, “Government of Kerala is ready to sacrifice the health and lives of innocent citizens during the critical situation. Political interests and causes cannot overcome the fundamental rights of the citizens of this nation”.

The petitioner underlined that Kerala continues to record alarming numbers of COVID cases even while many other States have improved their situation.

It also claimed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not consult the medical fraternity before announcing the relaxations.

On the other hand, advocate G Prakash, appearing for the Kerala government told the court that only some shops were allowed to reopen that too in a controlled manner.

A bench of Justices Rohinton F Nariman and B R Gavai asked Kerala to file an affidavit by Monday evening and said it will hear the matter on July 20, Tuesday.

Kerala govt gave relaxation in lockdown during Eid Al Adha

Earlier In connection with the celebrations of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Azha) on July 21, the Kerala Government has issued new guidelines by giving relaxation in the Covid induced lockdown.As part of COVID-19 containment activities, the Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs) in the state were categorized based on the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) and certain relaxations in lockdown

dwere were extended to the areas where the TPR is less and special intensified stringent restrictions were being implemented in areas where TPR is high, Chief Secretary Dr VP Joy said in a release here on Monday.

Textiles, footwear shops, jewellery, fancy stores, shops selling home appliances and shops selling electronic items, all types of repairing shops and shops selling essential items (already allowed in all category of LSGIs) were allowed to open on three days, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, from 0700 hrs to 2000 hrs in 'A', 'B' and 'C' category LSGls.

In 'D' category, these shops could function on July 19 only. Beauty parlour and barber shops could function for hairstyling only on the days on which other shops are permitted in 'A' and 'B' category areas.

Along with the other permitted activities, electronic shops and electronic repair shops could also be opened on all days from 0700 hrs to 2000 hrs in category 'A' and 'B' LSGls and during permitted days in other categories.

Places of worship were allowed with maximum 40 persons on special occasions of celebration. Shooting of films shall be allowed as per the guidelines adhering to COVID protocols.

Public were cautioned that as far as possible, the persons visiting shops and other establishments may belong to those with at least one dose of vaccine/COvID recovered category and follow strict COVID protocols.

Kerala Govt postpones Eid-ul-Adha holiday to Jul 21

Kerala Government has postponed the public holiday for Eid-ul- Adha (Bakrid) from Tuesday to Wednesday

The holiday is applicable for all the state government offices including all public sector undertakings, all educational institutions, including professional colleges, and all institutions coming under Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, GAD Principal Secretary K R Jyothilal said in a release here on Monday.

Earlier, the holiday was marked in the government calender on July 20.(UNI)