Thiruvananthapuram: The government has decided to impose a total lockdown throughout Kerala on Sunday. Manorama News reported that the restrictions will be similar to that of triple lockdown.

The decision was made in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases following relaxations given during Onam. The state did not have lockdown for almost two weeks due to Independence Day and the festival of Onam.

The state has reported in excess of 30,000 cases on the last two days, with 31,445 and 30,007 new positives confirmed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the State was making effective interventions to combat the impending third wave of the disease.

Vijayan mentioned it in an article published in the latest edition of 'Chintha' weekly, a CPM publication.

In a strongly-worded article, Vijayan rejected the criticism on his government terming it as "unwanted" and suspected it as attempts to undermine people's support in its fight against the pandemic.

In the article titled "Badal Nayangale Kooduthal Shakthippeduthum" (alternate policies will be strengthened), he asked if Kerala's COVID management is wrong, then which model should the state adopt.

"In Kerala, not a single person had died due to the dearth of oxygen. No one has been denied access to health services or anyone faced a situation of not getting a hospital bed during emergencies" Vijayan said.

"Those who criticise the government are not unaware that the second wave of the disease had started a bit late compared to many other places and that the number of people who are at the risk of contracting the disease is high in Kerala," he said.
(With agency inputs)