THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Health Department has issued instructions mandating the use of masks for attendees at today’s New Year celebrations in public venues. This directive takes into account the potential rise in COVID-19 cases following the festivities, particularly as Kerala accounts for nearly half of the country’s confirmed COVID-19 patients.
In this situation, the Kerala State Health Department expressed concern as New Year celebrations without any restrictions could further escalate the spread of the Corona virus. Therefore, they have mandated masks for all attendees at today’s New Year celebrations. The Health Department has highlighted the rapid intensification of the Omicron variant and the JN.1 sub-variant in Kerala as a significant concern, prompting the recommendation for mandatory mask usage in all public places where people gather.
The authorities of hotels, party halls and worship places should follow the instruction to curb the spread.
Earlier, the Karnataka government made it mandatory for individuals above 60 years of age, having symptoms such as cough, phlegm, and fever, to wear face masks following the detection of a case involving the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 in Kerala. Additionally, seven-day isolation was enforced in Karnataka for confirmed Corona patients.
However, Kerala had initially failed to mandate mask-wearing despite these developments. Meanwhile, the rapid spread of the Omicron and JN.1 variants remains a cause for heightened concern.
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