Tamil Nadu: One more week of lockdown with relaxations commences

As the COVID daily caseload graph continued to show a declining trend in several districts, the State Government had yesterday extended the lockdown by one more week from today till June 28 with more relaxations.

As part of more easing of curbs, the state government classified 38 districts in the State into three types. There was no extra relaxations in 11 districts--Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai--which were classified as Type-I as the caseload was on the higher side. The present restrictions continued for one more week in these districts.

However, more relaxations, including extending the timing of shops like, tea stalls, hotels, restaurants and schools/colleges admission related works came into force in the remaining 27 districts--23 in Type-2 and four districts in Type-3--of the State.

In the four districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet, classified as Type-3 districts, public transport resumed after more than a month with 50 per cent seating capacity.

Chennai Metro train services also resumed operations with 50 per cent seating capacity.

The lockdown, which was implemented on May 10 was being extended by every week and the present one came into being at 0600 hrs this morning to further prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The Type-II districts are Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Ranipet, Sivaganga, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tiruppattur, Tiruvannamalai, Thoothukudi, Tiruchi, Villupuram and Virudhunagar districts.

Apart from intra-district public transport, groceries, vegetable stores and meat stalls started operating from 0600 hrs and would remain open till 1900 hrs.

Shops selling flowers and fruits on pavements are also allowed during this period.

Eateries, restaurants and bakeries are allowed for takeaway services with extended timing from 0600 hrs to 2100 hrs along with food delivery services.

All essential government departments started to function with 100 per cent staff strength while the remaining departments functioned with 50 per cent staff.

All private companies also started functioning with 33 per cent staff from today.

Other relaxations for Type-3 districts--for which e-registration was not necessary--included functioning of computer hardware, software, electronic appliance spare parts shops, those selling construction materials, increase in timing for beauty parlours, saloons, spas, conduct of outdoor sporting activities without spectators, resumption of film and TN serial shootings with a maximum of 100 members, post production works.