New Delhi: In a bid to ensure social distancing, a Gram Panchayat in Kerala’s Alappuzha district has lanched a unique initiative – every resident stepping out of home will have to use an umbrella. The Gram Panchayat is also distributing subsidized umbrellas to the residents.

Thanneermukkom Gram Panchayat in Alappuzha has made it mandatory for anyone stepping out in the public area to carry an umbrella for maintaining the social distance.

Kerala Minister Thomas Isaac said that two opened umbrellas will ensure a minimum distance of 1 meter between two persons.

(Video Courtesy: The News Minute)

Isaac took to Twitter and wrote, “To enforce physical distancing, Thanneermukkom GP in Alappuzha, mandates that everyone hold an umbrella when they go. 2 opened umbrellas, not touching each other, will ensure min distance of 1 meter from one another. Umbrellas distributed at subsidized rate.”

To enforce physical distancing, Thaneermukkom GP in Alappuzha, mandates that everyone hold umbrella when they go out of houses. Two opened umbrellas, not touching each other, will ensure minimum distance of one meter from one another. Umbrellas distributed at subsidized rate. pic.twitter.com/6qir4KXPSL

— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) April 26, 2020

With the highest spike of 1,975 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours and 47 deaths, India’s total count of coronavirus cases surged to 26,917, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.