Stephen Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (MS)

Kasargod, Jul 27: District collector Dr Sajith Babu said that shops can be opened from 11 am to 5 pm in areas where the prohibitory orders are on. However, in containment zones only shops selling essentials can open every alternate day from 11 am to 5 pm.

DC Babu further said, "In other areas of the district all the shops can be kept open from 8 am to 6 pm. However, grouping of people is shops are not allowed. Wearing face mask, use of hand sanitizer and maintaining social distance should be followed without fail. The staff of shops must wear face mask and hand gloves. Shops violating this protocol will be dealt with strictly including closure of shops.

"Shops selling vegetables, milk, fruits, pulses, including rice, fish and meat, mills of rice and wheat and medical shops are classified as shops selling essentials items.

"Akshaya centers in all areas including containment zones can function from 11 am to 5 pm. There is no mandatory timings for medical shops. Private financiers and motor vehicle shops cannot be opened in containment zones.

"There will be no restriction on the movement of goods vehicles carrying vegetables, fruits, and fish etc that pass through the district. The fruits, vegetables and fish that is brought from the state of Karnataka should be loaded on other trucks of the district in border areas. All instructions of health department including wearing of face masks and gloves and use of sanitizers should be followed while loading and unloading goods. Anyone found violating these rules will be slapped with case under contagious diseases control act and the respective vehicle will be confiscated. No permission will be given to goods vehicles coming from other states and districts beyond the border of the district.

"Labourers who work in loading and unloading of goods and drivers of goods vehicles should get themselves checked for Covid-19 once in a week in the nearest primary health care centre and get the certificate of negative infection.

"Dakshina Kannada district administration will provide separate KSRTC bus service facility for students of the district appearing for KIMS (Karnataka Medical and Engineering entrance) test. These exams will be held on July 30 and 31. Up to border area of Talapady, Kerala state buses will provide service to the students.

"This decision is taken after holding discussion with the Dakshina Kannada district administration this decision is taken. If the Karnataka state government provides vehicle transport on August 1, Kasargod district administration will also provide bus facility.

"Students and parents who accompany them for exams should compulsorily be under 14 day quarantine after coming back from writing the examinations. If anyone wants to use their private vehicles to go to the examination centre, the district administration does not have restrictions. However, when they return after writing the examinations, they should register themselves on the Covid-19 alertness portal. They also have to undergo 14 days of room quarantine.