Unlock begins in Thiruvananthapuram after one-month curbs

Malls, hypermarkets and salons opened in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram as the month-long COVID-19 induced lockdown was lifted on Saturday (August 15) morning.

The order, however, will be implemented only in non-containment zones.

All offices (government ands private), public and private establishments, banks etc can now function with 50 per cent staff.

Shops can be kept open from 7 am to 7 pm, while the time restriction has been eased for restaurants and cafes which can be kept open only till 9 pm for takeaway counters/parcels. Home delivery will also be allowed up to 9 pm.

All hotels can open except for conference and banquet halls.

Games, sports activities and gyms can open too with strict COVID-19 protocols in place. Bars and beer parlours can open with only takeaway services.

Congested shopping areas, like fish markets, have opened too with strict entry-exit protocols. Police will keep control of the number of people getting inside/outside the market.

Lockdown was imposed in the corporation limits of Thiruvananthapuram on July 5.