The Kerala government will distribute free ration supplies to the public from April 1 to April 20 amid the COVID-19 lockdown, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies P Thilothaman said on Monday.

The food grains allocated by the central government will be distributed after April 20.

Priority sectors (yellow, pink cards) will be given their ration before 12pm and others (blue, white cards) may avail their free ration from 12pm to 5pm.

The food grains will be made available to the public through the 14,250 fair price shops across the state. Only five individuals will be allowed to approach the fair price shop at a time.

Volunteers will be deployed at fair price shops to ensure that social distancing is maintained. Those without ration cards may submit the Aadhaar card of the eldest member in the family and his phone number to avail the free rice grains. The rice grains for the next month has already been procured, the minister said while adding that the government is planning to procure food grains for at least 3 months.