Rollout of Hygiene Protocol in Kozhikode may be delayed

Public response to draft overwhelming and their suggestions need to be included, says Corpn.

The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation may postpone the launch of its Hygiene Protocol further to incorporate suggestions from the public. The Corporation had published the draft of the protocol a few weeks ago and was planning to release the revised version by the end of the month while the protocol was set to be launched on October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, coinciding with the Sanitation Week. However, the response to the draft from the public has been overwhelming, necessitating a thorough revision of the protocol.

“We have been receiving suggestions from all quarters, by email, post, on WhatsApp, and through the website. It takes time to sort them all out and design the protocol for each new sector that has come up in the discussions,” said S. Jayasree, Health Standing Committee chairperson of the Corporation.

The draft protocol comprised rules that need to be followed in 28 sectors. But with the recent suggestions, the number of sectors has risen to 48. “We have a few sectors more to consider such as saloons and beauty parlours, accommodation of guest labourers, online marketing, food delivery and even the Corporation office, which need to be incorporated to make the protocol really comprehensive,” Ms. Jayasree added.