The Kerala government imposed section 144 till October 31, prohibiting the assembly of more than five people to control virus surge in the state. The order was issued after total confirmed cases crossed 2 lakh on Thursday. ‘Strict restrictions shall be imposed in containment zones and in specific areas where the spread of the disease is apprehended’, the order specified. From reporting zero fresh cases in recent months, the state now has the second highest rate of increase in covid-19 cases as of Thursday. The state reported 8,135 fresh cases on Thursday, while the death toll climbed to 771 with 29 more fatalities. The southern state, which has been witnessing a rapid spike in new cases in recent weeks, had crossed the one lakh mark on September 11.