Chennai: A city street wears a deserted look during COVID-induced lockdown
The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday extended coronavirus lockdown in the state for one more week, until June 28, following consultations with medical experts. However, some Covid-19 restrictions have been eased in certain districts.
The state will follow a tier-based system to allow more relaxation to some districts.
Tier-1: It comprises 11 districts: No additional relaxations have been provided as the active caseload continues to remain high. This includes Coimbatore, Nigeria, Thiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai.
Tier-2: 23 districts have been provided with additional relaxations from Covid restrictions.
Tier-3: Consists of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet, get additional relaxations along with those extended to Tier-2 districts.
What is allowed and what is restricted
- Tamil Nadu government allowed resumption of public transport with 50% occupancy in four districts, namely Chennai Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet.
- Metro rail services will resume with 50% occupancy.
- E-registration no longer required to travel in taxis and autorickshaws.
- Shops selling electrical items, hardware stores, vehicle outlets, stationary stores, vehicle mechanical shops, footwear stores, home appliances stores and smartphone shops can function from 9 am to 5 pm.
- Standalone grocery stores and vegetable markets can open from 6 am to 7 pm.
- Restaurants and eateries can provide delivery and take-away from 6 am to 9 pm.
- The state government permitted film and television serial shootings with 100 people maximum.
- Construction work permitted and shops selling equipment are also permitted.
- Education Institutions can function but only for enrollment of students.
Meanwhile, Stalin had held a meeting with health experts and officials to review the situation on Saturday. “Lockdown will be extended for a week since the government is concerned about certain districts clocking positivity rate of 10% or more. Though there was discussion on further relaxation of lockdown norms, no decision has been taken,” an official had said.
Tamil Nadu recorded 8,183 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking the caseload to 24.14 lakh, while 180 deaths took the toll to 31,015. Recoveries continued to outnumber new cases with 18,232 people being discharged, taking the tally to 23,04,885,leaving 78,780 active cases
Also Read: UP government relaxes night curfew by two hours from Monday
