Chennai: Barring public transport services which are yet to resume, Tamilnadu is almost back to pre-Covid times, with more relaxations coming to effect today resulting in opening of many shops and other commercial establishments.
A day after announcing a slew of relaxations, the Tamilnadu government on Sunday announced 34 more relaxations from the ongoing lockdown covering various fields coming under non-containment zones.
In continuation of a series of relaxations announced yesterday, an official release said additional shops and establishments would be allowed to function from today.
While allowing small jewellery and textile shops to open without air conditioners, it also allowed opening of mechanic shops, home appliances, furniture shops, roadside pushcart hops, courier and parcel, lorry booking, laundry, xerox, TV, mixie and grinder shops selling and repairing, among others things.
The government also said that social distancing should be maintained among the customers and that the premises should be disinfected regularly, besides making wearing of masks mandatory and following the Standard Operation Procedures.
The establishments that were allowed to function from today included tea shops, bakeries and restaurants for parcel only, flower, fruits and vegetable shops, hardware and sanitary equipment stores, construction equipment stores, electric and electronic appliances and repair stores, household appliance shops, mechanic and motor shops, opticians and repair units, small jewellery stores and small clothing/textile stores in rural areas (without air-conditioning), small box-shops, furniture stores, roadside pushcarts, courier and parcel service, lorry booking, xerox shops, two and four-wheeler vehicle sales and repair shops, traditional medicine shops, farming equipment and pesticide shops, nurseries, dry cleaners, plywood stores and saw mills.
However, the government categorically announced that salons, spas and beauty parlours would remain shut. The restrictions were announced as the extended lockdown, announcing to combat the spread of coronavirus, is set to end on 17 May.