Complete lockdown in Lakshadweep to continue for seven more days

District Collector says 1,005 COVID-19 cases on islands and high chances for further spread

The Lakshadweep island administration has said that the complete lockdown on Kavaratti, Androth, Kalpeni, Amini, Minicoy and Bitra islands would continue for seven more days from June 7, in view of the test high positivity rate on the islands. In an order issued on Monday, District Collector S. Asker Ali said shops and establishments selling groceries, vegetables and other essential commodities would be allowed to open between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with prior permission from the District Collector in Kavaratti and from Deputy Collector/block development officers or the authorised officers for Androth, Kalpeni, Amini, Minicoy and Bitra islands. Shops and establishments should open adhering to the COVID-19 protocol, said the order. The District Collector said that the COVID-19 situation had yet not stabilised. There were 1,005 active cases — 484 on Kavaratti; 16 on Agatti; 51 on Amini; 14 on Kadmat; 21 on Kiltan; 14 on Chetlat; 188 on Androth; 24 on Kalpeni; 123 on Minicoy and 70 on Bitra.