'Sorry state of affairs': SC comes down hard on Kerala govt for lockdown relaxations

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has pulled up the Kerala government for relaxation in Covid curbs, even as the state continues to record high number of cases.
The apex court said that the state government has given in to the demand of traders to allow shops to open. This was even done in zones witnessing a positivity rate of 15% or more, the court observed, calling it "an alarming and sorry state of affairs."
The court warned that it will take action if the easing of curbs leads to further spread of the virus.
Kerala has relaxed lockdown regulations for three days in wake of the Bakrid festival that falls on July 21. The relaxations were for three days in those local bodies which fall under A, B and C categories based on test positivity rate. Shops other than those selling essential goods have been allowed to function up to 8pm.
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Justices R F Nariman and B R Gavai asked the Pinarayi Vijayan government to heed to right to life of citizens and follow the court's directions issued in Kanwar yatra case.
"We direct the Kerala government to give heed to the Right to Life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution," the bench said.
SC, however, refuses to pass any punitive order against state authority for relaxing covid restriction for three days.
The decision to relax lockdown norms was taken after chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan met representatives of traders' bodies. The traders had challenged the government that they would open shops on Saturday and Sunday as well.

The decision was also criticised by the Indian Medical Association, and it urged Kerala government to withdraw lockdown relaxation amid speculations of third wave of Covid.
The association drew attention to several states in North India imposing restrictions on traditional and popular pilgrimage yatras in view of the pandemic situation.