Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palansiwami on Sunday announced extension of lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the State till 31 May.
While no new relaxations were announced in 12 districts–Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Villuppura, Cuddalore, Ranipet, Tiruppattur, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur and Perambalur–where the number of coronavirus positive cases were high, he unveiled more relaxations in 25 other districts.
Apart from banning visits to tourist spots like Udhagamandalam, Kodaikanal and Yercaud, Palaniswami said the lockdown would be followed in toto in all the containment zones.
He also said all relaxations earlier allowed in areas coming under the Chennai Police limit, except in containment zones, would continue.
Based on several review meetings held by him and on the suggestions given by the district collectors and the expert medical committee, the lockdown, which was scheduled to end at Sunday, will be extended till the midnight of 31 May.
Palaniswami said all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, theatres, bars, gyms, beach, tourist spots, zoological parks, museums, swimming pools, sports stadia, big auditoriums, conference halls will continue to remain shut till 31 May.
He also said the ban on public darshan in places of worship and all religious gatherings will continue. He also said all modes of public transport including air and rail services, buses, inter-state bus services, Chennai Metro, taxi, auto, cyclerickshaws, hotels, resorts would not function.
He, however, announced new relaxations in 25 districts where vehicles would be allowed to ply without TN e-Pass.
The 25 districts are Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Namakkal, Karur, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, Pudukottai, Trichy, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagappattinam, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Nilgiris.
Commercial establishments which have been closed during lockdown could function only for maintenance purpose with minimum number of workers.
The government also exempted answersheet valuation works for Plus Two examinations, while allowing plying of taxi and autos for medical purposes only in the 12 districts where public transport was banned.
He also said Under the MGNREGA scheme, instead of 50 per cent workers, henceforth 100 per cent workers could be involved.