Kerala lockdown strategy -13 experts - diverse background
"The Committee, however, is cognizant that prolonged and stringent lockdown will lead to economic hardship, famine, law and order issues, which may in turn undermine both the lockdown and the health management objectives".

"The unit for operationalizing such a phased approach is suggested to be a district which has defined boundaries as
well as executive magistrate who have the authority to effectively enforce the measures of the phased lock down".

"Maintaining supply chains of essential goods and services is integral to the achieving both health and economic objectives and central government should ensure to establish effective coordination between
states as well as logistics operators"

"Supporting agricultural sector, in production, marketing, storage and transport is absolutely essential for the country to tide over the crisis."

First section "COVID: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGE AS MUCH AS AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ONE"

Any exit strategy would need to take into consideration the following key aspects at the national level and state level:
Apart from other things
1. The State’s capacity to build up an effective and responsive healthcare system to deal with the epidemic in a few weeks or months

2. Specific impact on the poorest and most vulnerable sections given that they are likely to bear a disproportionate part of the costs
3. Financial capacity of the State to support the poorest sections; as well as the productive economic agents

Honest and factual !!!

"As far as the estimated trajectory of the disease is concerned, or indeed the efficacy of total lockdowns, there is no consensus yet".

Many scholars have also pointed out that‘total lockdown, social distancing’ etc , as conventionally understood in the west may have far less effectiveness in a country like India, where density of population, crowded
living conditions, economic realities are very different.

"Hence policies/ social practices appropriate to India’s realities may need to be evolved locally, rather than
imposed wholesale from another context".

"As part of the State's policy for combating COVID-19, a desired goal would be to undertake state-wide vulnerability analysis and evolve innovative strategies for
protecting the population".

Ensure access to normal healthcare requirements of the population
Maintain normal healthcare capacity during the Corona period
Maintain public health initiatives (vaccinations, food/nutrition of children and pregnant/feeding mothers

Ensure access to food and other essentials

Maintain purchasing power of community

Ensure law and order

Maintain open communication and social cohesion

Re-establish livelihoods, Increase livelihood opportunities, including creating new employment schemes

Facilitating return of migrant labour to their home states, without spreading disease

Facilitating arrival of non-resident Keralites without increasing disease spread

Improve public transport facilities without increasing disease spread
Inter-district bus transport may be allowed with 2/3rd capacity subject to observing social distance protocols such as compulsory face masks, hand sanitizers and no standing passenger policy etc.

Therefore, the Committee is of the view that there are certain activities that should be additionally permitted to maintain the supply chain of essential services
and commodities and minimise hardships to people.

Strategies for economic revival - Covid investment pack, deferment of financial obligations, measures for livelihood revival, scheme for purchase of essential commodities, prevent supply side breakdown, procurement channel from farmers, special package for migrant (guest) labour

Sector revival plan with focus on women, SC/ST. Transgender community, direct cash transfer, wage subsidy scheme.

Future health research, digital technology etc...................

Exactly why Kerala's indicators are better !!

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