Kerala Issued Fresh Covid Guidelines After Receiving Alert From Centre, Says Health Minister Veena George

Minister George confirmed that Covid case of the new BF.7 variant isn't reported in State so far

Kerala Health Minister Veena George. ( Image Source :ANI file )

Although Kerala has not recorded new Covid cases of BF.7 variant, the state government has issued fresh guidelines after receiving an alert from the Centre, said Health Minister Veena George. 

While speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated that the guidelines from the Centre are not new to the state. "Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, our government has always pushed the citizens to follow the Covid-19 protocols including using masks, sanitisers and observing social distancing. This is a routine thing," the health minister said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, the state government issued an order dated January 12, in which the government made wearing masks mandatory for people gathering at public places, in vehicles and while travelling across the states. The order released by the government directed that social distancing be followed and maintained at all places to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

However, the health minister said that precautions are being taken by the government as the health department is sending Covid samples for genome sequencing. Minister George confirmed that Covid case of the new BF.7 variant isn't reported in State so far.

The health minister also announced that the state has recorded least number of food poisoning cases. However, she said that the government is planning a new scheme to bring in to ensure food safety and hygiene at the restaurants in the state.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday (January 17), 27 people were admitted to various hospitals in the Ernakulam district after eating at a restaurant in North Paravoor in Kerala. The police said that they have been hospitalised with symptoms of food poisoning, and their condition is said to be stable.