Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced further relaxations in the restrictions imposed in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has now allowed technical educational institutions, vocational training centres other than schools, tuition centres, computer centres and dance schools to open adhering to certain rules.

According to the government, these institutions can function with 50 per cent capacity of the classrooms, with a limit of 100 persons.

No decision on schools

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that a decision on reopening schools and colleges would not be taken in haste. “The issue of starting regular academics for students in higher classes who would be taking public examinations will be considered if the COVID-19 situation improves,” he said.

However, in the lower classes, studies are likely to continue in the online mode the entire academic year, the Chief Minister added.

At the same time, there are plans to open higher educational institutions by early 2021, said Pinarayi.

Banks to function on Saturdays

Banks in Kerala, which were closed on all Saturdays in view of the pandemic, will now also function on the first and third Saturdays of every month. However, the holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays would continue to be in force.

Kerala reported 5,420 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday from the 59,983 samples tested. Kerala has so far recorded 5,71,872 COVID-19 cases.