Thiruvananthapuram: Following a slight dip in daily COVID-19 cases and the test positivity rate, the Kerala government has announced a slew of lockdown relaxations.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Ophthalmologists, optical shops, shops selling and repairing hearing aid equipment, assistive devices and prostheses can open Tuesdays and Saturdays.

• Gas stove repair shops and mobile and computer repair shops can open on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

• To mitigate a shortage of metal, the Kerala government announced on Thursday that metal crushers may open provided they stick to all Covid guidelines.

• Permission has also been given for the transportation of sanitary products for women from manufacturers to shops.

• Textile and jewellery showrooms may open with a limited number of employees for home delivery and online sale.

• Machines that produce coir products can operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Package for children orphaned by Covid

The Kerala government on Thursday announced a special package for children orphaned by COVID-19 in the state.

Vijayan said, "We need to take care of the children who have lost their father and mother due to COVID-19. A special package will be implemented for the care of such children."

Under the package, initially, an amount of Rs 3 lakhs will be given to the children as a lump sum.

In addition, an amount of Rs 2,000 per month will also be given till they reach the age of 18.

"The government has also decided to bear the cost of their education up to the degree level," he said.

On lockdown 

The government is likely to announce more relaxations in the coming days.

Kerala remains on lockdown until May 30.

On Friday, Kerala reported 22,318 new COVID-19 cases and 26,270 recoveries.

The test positivity rate (or TPR), the percentage of people who test positive for the virus of those overall who have been tested, in the state is 16.4.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that though the numbers have dipped, it's not time yet for any relaxations.

According to sources in the Health Department, the State is planning to ease the lockdown curbs only when the TPR goes below 10.