Improving Internet To Mid-Day Meals At Home, How Kerala Is Preparing For Coronavirus 'Lockdown'
Kerala, the only state in India which has so far managed to get three confirmed Coronavirus (Covid-19) patients recover and discharged from hospitals is gearing up for yet another battle with the deadly outbreak.?
Last week after a three-member family who had returned from Italy and two of their relatives tested positive for Covid-19.Since then, the total number of cases in the state alone has risen to 14.?
With more people returning from Italy and others also showing symptoms of the infection, some 1500 people in the state are under observation. But the state is not leaving anything to chance and has come up with probably the most stringent 'lockdown' measures implemented in the country so far to prevent the outbreak from spreading.?
According to the state government's announcement, there will be restrictions on gatherings and public programmes by the government until the end of this month.Additionally, classes for all students including state syllabus, CBSE and ICSE up to class 7 have been suspended, and only exams can go ahead as per schedule, all colleges, except medical colleges, will also remain shut.?
The same is applicable for tuition classes, and exam coaching classes.Madrassa and anganwadis will also remain closed during the same period. However, the government said that the mid-day meals for Anganwadi students will be made available at their homes.?
Another step the Kerala government has taken in view of the restrictions is to improve the broadband networks in the state."Since a lot, more people will be at homes, under isolation or will be working from home, the internet usage will be high. Keeping this in mind we will improve the bandwidth and quality of broadband internet in the state," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.?
The government has also appealed to religious bodies to postpone the festivals and other gatherings including Sunday mass at churches and namaz at mosques.It has also urged people to postpone marriage or limit the number of guests at such gatherings to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.As the number of cases has increased, the state has increased the number of testing and admission facilities for suspected cases.
Anyone with suspected symptoms or have been in contact with Covid-19 patients have been urged to seek medical help, either in Government or private hospitals. The government has also said that food will be delivered to the families of those who are under observation at homes.?
Amid reports of people refusing to get admitted to hospitals and hiding their travel history, the government said strict action will be taken against such people.The Pathanamthitta District authors have also released a step-by-step list of places the 3 Italy-returned Malayalis who were later tested positive have visited.?
