As part of the Break the Chain Umbrella project, the local body plans to distribute at least 10,000 umbrellas to its residents at subsidised rates.

Novelty is the name of the game at the moment - and a village panchayat in Kerala is showing the way with a new project to enforce social distancing measures: umbrellas, sans rain.

Alappuzha's Thanneermukkom grama panchayat has mandated that anyone stepping out of their homes must carry an umbrella - as two opened umbrellas, not touching each other, will ensure the minimum distance of one metre between people.

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

The initiative is part of the Break the Chain Umbrella project that was launched last week as part of protective measures being undertaken against Covid-19.

Under the initiative, the local body plans to distribute at least 10,000 umbrellas to its residents at subsidised rates.

Speaking to local media, P. S. Jyothis, president, Thanneermukkom panchayat, said, "Umbrellas are used as protection against rain and sun. The panchayat has a population of 50,000. We have urged our residents to make it a habit to use umbrellas in order to maintain social distancing."

With Thanneermukkom one of the hotspots for Covid-19 in the district, panchayat authorities will reportedly also be handing out two masks for every umbrella they give away.

In a tweet this morning, Kerala Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac gave the project a shoutout, and posted a photo of residents carrying open umbrellas and demonstrating its usefulness in maintaining safe social distancing practices.