NEWS | Kerala hotels and resorts can now operate in ‘bio-bubble’

The State Disaster Management Authority announced the move in an effort to release some of the stress in Kerala’s crucial hospitality and tourism industries

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has allowed hotels and resorts in the state to function in a ‘bio-bubble’ from August 5, 2021. Covid restrictions on events, parties, conferences, would continue. Weddings and funerals can take place with a maximum of 20 people, it added.

The move among the severe restrictions on trade and industry in the state comes as a huge relief with the latest communique also stating that accommodation facilities like hotels, resorts, would be allowed to operate in a bio-bubble model in all areas on all days of the week. While allowing it to function on all days under the ‘bio-bubble’ model, the guidelines strictly mandate such establishments to display the status of vaccination of employees and the number of customers permitted at a time.

Such establishments were only allowed persons who have taken at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine before two weeks or who are in possession of the RT-PCR negative certificate taken 72 hours before or who are in possession of the Covid-19 positive results more than a month old shall be allowed inside as workers as well as visitors.

The restrictions on indoor dining in restaurants would continue to remain suspended. However, dining would now be allowed in open areas, parking lots, with six feet distancing. Restaurants are now allowed to serve food online till 9.30 pm.

The Test Positivity Rate in Kerala was above 10 percent and half of the total Covid-19 positive cases in the country currently are reported from the state.