Looking at the COVID-19 situation in the state, the Kerala government has announced that it will impose a weekend lockdown on July 17 and July 18. Kerala reported a fresh spike of 14,539 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday with the test positivity rate standing at 10.46%.
"There will be a complete lockdown on 17th and 18th July 2021 with the same guidelines as issued for 12th and 13th June 2021," the Kerala government stated in its order, adding that banks and other financial institutions, too, will remain closed on the two days.
The government further said that the present categorisation of the local self-government institutions (LSGIs) based on a seven-day average Test Positivity Rate (TPR) will continue. The LSG bodies were recently reclassified on the basis of the average TPR for the last seven days.
LSGIs under category A are those with a TPR of up to 5%, while those under category B have a TPR of up to 10%. The corresponding figures for LSGIs in category C and D are up to 15% and above 15% respectively.
Shops in categories A, B, and C will be allowed to open till 8 pm on the days in which they are allowed already. The guidelines will come into effect from July 15 at 12 am.
All types of shops and business establishments will remain open on all days except during weekend lockdown in the category 'A'.
Shops that sell essential items will remain open on all days, while other non-essential item shops would function on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday till 8 pm in the category 'B'.
Shops that sell essential provisions will remain open on all days while other shops are allowed to open only on Friday in the category 'C'.
Only shops which sell essential provisions are allowed to open in the category 'D'.
Shops in the category A, B, and C can function till 8 pm and banks can stay open for the public for five days in a week.