<span style="color: #222222;">In Kerala, normal life was hit  by the 48-hour nation-wide general strike called by joint council of trade unions.<br />''Shops and business houses including banks remaines closed and vehicular traffic was off the road. Taxis and autorikshaws were operating in some places.  Private vehicles were seen plying.  <br />''<br />''Essential services including Covid-related affairs and movement of foreign tourists were exempted from the strike.  <br />''State Road Transport Corporation provided emergency bus services to hospitals, airports and railway stations.<br />''<br />''The strike did not affect the functioning of most of the public sector undertakings in the State. The industrial belt of Ernakulam also remained largely unaffected.<br />''<br />''Stray incidents of supporters of strike intercepting private vehicles and employees going for work were reported from different parts of the State.</span><br />