Kerala: Attendance at marriages, funerals capped at 50 persons amid Omicron

In view of the rising number of Omicron variants of COVID-19 in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered that the number of attendees at weddings and funerals be limited to a maximum of 50 people.

The decision was made during the COVID assessment meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, according to a state government release.

Last week, the government ordered that the number of people at weddings, funerals, political, social and cultural events in closed spaces should be limited to 75 and in open spaces to 150.

In the last decision it has now been further reduced to 50 without specifying whether it is for closed rooms or open spaces or both.

It was also decided during the meeting that reunions, ceremonies and general social, political, cultural and community events should take place online, except in urgent situations, the release said.

Precautions, including physical distancing, should be taken when holding events with physical presence and, if possible, avoid public gatherings, it said.

Directions were given at the meeting to the Ministry of Health and Education to ensure that vaccinations for students over the age of 15 are completed by themselves this week, the release said, adding that the departments are considering also conducting vaccinations at educational institutions.

Kudumbasree elections and gram sabhas can be conducted by following COVID standards such as maintaining social distancing, the CM said at the meeting.

He also indicated that the telemedicine system should also be implemented and awareness programs should be conducted in connection with Omicron, the release said.