Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement urging the public to use locally available flowers to decorate floral carpets has drawn flak from flower vendors.
Thiruvananthapuram: Onam celebrations across the state will be a low key affair with the no major festivities allowed as the health department is set to follow strict precautions and protocols to ensure public gathering is avoided.
The decision comes in after factoring in the high risk of virus transmission posed by large gatherings as well as confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
Top officials from the health department confirm that the department will ask the government to bar events like the Pookkalam contest, traditional Onasadya and associated sports/cultural events staged at offices or public spaces.
“Unlike earlier years, this time around we have to ensure that the protocols are strictly followed and Onam cannot be allowed to be celebrated in its traditional manner with public processions and traditional activities as the risk of transmission is higher. Asymptomatic people pose the highest risk in such situations. They can easily pass on the virus,” said a senior health official.
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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who has already given more powers to the police in handling the Covid situation has conveyed to the top police brass to ensure that mass gatherings at public spaces like markets and shopping malls are avoided.
“We are trying to ensure that mass movement from one district to another and also to and from movement to containment zones and hotspots are strictly prohibited. Also, the flow of illicit liquor from neighbouring states needs to be checked as every season similar incidents are reported and hence this time around more forces will be deployed in the state border check posts”, said a senior police officer deployed at the State Covid Cell.
The flower merchants in the state have urged the state government to permit them to bring flowers from other states for Onam sales adhering to Covid protocol. Onam season offers a good market for flower vendors and supports their livelihood. A ban on flowers from other states will adversely affect flower vendors, said All Kerala Flower Merchant Association state president V J Thomas and secretary P Premkumar
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