Chennai: Amid massive spike in coronavirus cases, especially in Chennai, where it has crossed the 1,000-mark, the Tamilnadu government today extended the lockdown till 17 May by announcing several relaxations in line with the decision taken by the Centre.
In a statement after chairing a meeting of the State Cabinet, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said the decision to extend the lockdown from May four to the midnight of 17 May was taken on the basis of the views expressed by the 12-memberCoordination committee, comprising senior IAS officers, District Collectors, the 19-member expert medical panel and the interim
report submitted by the 17-member expert committee formed to advise the govrnment on the guidelines to be followed after the 40-day lockdown end tomorrow.
The decision was also based on the advisory issued by the Union Home Ministry yesterday extending the deadline by two weeks, to tackle the spread of the coronavirus diseases.
Announcing that status quo would be maintained in all the containment zones, where no relaxation would be allowed and the lockdown would be enforced in toto under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Palaniswami announced several relaxations by allowing opening of shops selling essentials from 6 am to 5 pm, hotels/restaurants from 6 am to 9 pm for parcel services only, besides standalone and neighbourhood shops like hardware, cement, construction materials, sanitaryware, electrical items, mobile phone, computer, household items, electric motors, sale and repair of opticals from 11 am to 5 pm and also plumbers, electricians, AC mechanics, carpenters, home care providers after getting due permission from the concerned Corporation Commissioners and District Collectors.
He said resumption of works with certain conditions in some industries, including construction, SEZ, EOU and export units, IT and ITeS would also allowed with 10 per cent staff, but not exceeding 20 members, by transporting them on vehicles arranged by the company.
Palaniswami said based on the guidelines issued by the government, the concerned district Collectors and Chennai Police Commissioner were directed to make arrangements by granting permission for functioning of these units.
He also said all schools, colleges, temples, places of worship, theatres, shoping malls, bars, gyms, beach, tourist spots, zoological parks, museums, swimming pools, playgrounds, meeting halls and all cultural programmes, besides rail, road, air services and public transport, taxis, autos, cyclerickshaws, metros and inter-state public transport systems would not be
allowed.
Stating that the government was continuously monitoring the situation, he also said more relaxations would be announced as and when the COVID graph start declining.