Thiruvananthapuram, May 16 : As COVID positive cases continued to rise in Kerala, triple lockdown will come into effect in four districts from this midnight in the State.
Strict restrictions will be implemented in four districts, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram where triple lockdown will be in force from this midnight, official sources said.
However, the current lockdown will continue in the other ten districts of the State. Triple lockdown is the most rigorous way to control the spread of the disease.
The boundaries of these districts will be closed. There will be only one entry and exit point to and from the places where the triple lockdown has been declared especially containment zones.
Unnecessary outing from the house, crowding, not wearing a mask, or violating any other Covid protocols will be subject to severe legal action as per Kerala Epidemic Diseases Ordinance, 2020.
Areas, where the triple lockdown is being implemented, will be divided into zones and the task of control will be handed over to higher police officials.
Drones will be used to detect crowds and geo-fencing technology will be used to track those in quarantine. Ward committees will take the necessary steps for home delivery of food from community kitchens and Janakeeya hotels.
All other social activities will not be permitted. Ten thousand policemen will be deployed to strictly enforce the triple lockdown.

While medical shops and petrol pumps will be open throughout, bakery and provision stores would open on alternate days. Banks will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays while Cooperative banks will function on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm with minimum staff.(UNI)