Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Lifts Night Curfew, Announces Reopening Of Colleges From Oct 4. Know More

Kerala government after the review meeting has decided to begin classes in higher education institutions for UG and PG students from October 4.

Chennai: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state government has decided to lift the night curfew and Sunday lockdown after a COVID-19 review meeting held with senior officials on Tuesday.

The Kerala government after the review meeting decided to begin classes in higher education institutions for the final year UG and PG students from October 4, reports news agency ANI.

The Chief Minister also said details regarding the opening of educational institutions are being worked out and the decision on the opening of schools will be taken later.

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government imposed a night curfew fearing that COVID-19 cases would see an alarming rise after the Onam celebrations, the harvest festival of the state. However, the curfew was lifted since there was no alarming spread in the state. 

However, the state reported the first case of Nipah virus in a 12-year-old boy from Kozhikode, who succumbed without responding to treatment on Sunday.  Yet as a relief, the close contacts of the patient including the parents and some healthcare workers identified as primary contacts have tested negative for the virus.

"The results of all samples that were sent to NIV, Pune are negative. More samples have been sent and their results are awaited. Nipah management plan has been put in place, treatment and discharge guidelines have been issued," Kerala Chief Minister said.

Even on Saturday, the Chief Minister held a review meeting with health experts and many of them suggested easing the curfew and other restrictions. The officials also suggested easing the lockdown since the intense lockdown curbed people from exposure to the virus and further delayed the expected immunity. 

Meanwhile, on Monday, Kerala reported less than 20,000 COVID-19 cases and saw a drop in positivity rate to 16.71%. The state reported 19,688 new COVID-19 cases and 135 deaths on Monday. The number of cases went below for the first time in 10 days, especially after the Onam celebrations. The positivity rate of the state was also reduced to 16.71%. The state also witnessed 28,561 people recovering from the virus.