Kerala tourism minister without mask: Signal that everything normal?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A photograph of tourism and PWD minister P A Muhammad Riyaz and his family enjoying a Sunday outing at Kovalam Beach, shared by the minister himself on his social media page, drew heavy flak for obvious Covid protocol violations even as several people contended it was a deliberate move by the minister to inspire confidence that things are fast returning to normal.
In the photograph shared by Riyas, he and his family members, including his wife Veena, daughter of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, are seen without masks. Apart from them, four others are also seen in the picture without wearing masks. Riyas has mentioned in the picture that it has been taken at Kovalam beach.
Soon after the photograph was posted on his social media page, there was severe criticism from people against the minister and his family members for violating protocols. At the time of filing this report, the post had received 208 shares, 1k comments and 29k likes.
Kerala, which has been progressively unlocking, and just yesterday allowed dine-in at restaurants and bars to open, on Sunday recorded 15,951 new cases, 165 deaths and 17,658 recoveries. The state's active cases stood at 1,63,280, the only state in India with over a lakh active cases.
Several people took potshots at the photo, saying that rules didn't seem to apply to a minister and his family. A comment read, “If a common man goes like this, then he will have to pay fine. But when it is a minister, the rule is bent.” Another person asked Riyas “whether it is a psychological move to prove that the Corona has left Kerala.”
Another comment, with barely disguised sarcasm, is a request to the PWD minister: “The condition of the Sanghumuhgam beach is even more pathetic than Kovalam. Have a look at it.” This message is an obvious reference to the pathetic condition of the road at Sanghumugham which has badly affected passengers coming to the airport. The minister had visited this road a couple of times but no work has started yet.
Minister P A Mohammed Riyas and family seen without masks at Kovalam beach on Sunday