Ernakulam, July 22: Amid rising coronavirus cases, a curfew has been imposed in Ernakulam's Aluva municipality and six panchayats from Wednesday midnight onwards. Only essential services will be allowed between 10 am and 2 pm. Only chemist shops can operate for 24 hours. Coastal Areas of Thiruvananthapuram to Be Under Complete Lockdown from Saturday Midnight, Says CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kerala Minister VS Sunil Kumar said, "Curfew will be imposed in Aluva region from today midnight due to contain the spread of COVID-19. Aluva Municipality & 6 panchayats fall under Aluva region." Panchayats, where the curfew will be imposed, are - Chengamanadu, Keezhamadu, Kadungaloor, Alangadu, Choornikara and Edathala. Thiruvananthapuram Administration Cancels Licences of Two Malls, Ramachandran and Pothys, For Not Following COVID-19 Protocols.

Tweet by ANI:

Kumar said that Aluva municipality and the six panchayats would be considered as a single cluster. The government denied any possibility of community spread in Aluva. However, it asked people to take precaution to contain the spread of coronavirus. OnTuesday, Kerala reported 720 new coronavirus cases taking the COVID-19 tally to 13,994. It included 528 local infectees. There are 8,056 active cases in the state.

Meanwhile, India on Wednesday reported 37,724 fresh COVID-19 cases in 24 hours with the tally barely 7,000 short of the 12-lakh-mark, as the Union Health Ministry data revealed total coronavirus cases at 11,92,915. With 648 fresh deaths the toll touched 28,732, and the recovery rate stood at 63.12 percent.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2020 04:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).