The state government has decided to relax the lockdown regulations this weekend in the wake of Bakrid festival that falls on July 21. There will be relaxation in the total lockdown rules on July 18, 19 and 20 in those local bodies which fall under A, B and C categories based on test positivity rate.
Shops other than those selling the essential goods will be allowed to function up to 8pm on these three days. These include textile shops, footwear shops, electronics shops, fancy shops and jewellery shops. The decision was taken after chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan met the representatives of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopani Samithi (KVVES) after the traders challenged the government that they would open the shops on Saturday and Sunday as well.
At present, the shops, except eateries and those selling essentials are allowed to open only on alternate days in the A, B and C categories. The traders had been protesting against this and had challenged the government that they would open all the shops on all days. The challenge from the traders had resulted in a bitter face off between the government and the traders with the chief minister warning them of dire consequences if they did so.
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