Chennai: Despite a recommendation from its health experts team to not extend lockdown, the Tamilnadu government went ahead with announcing a fresh round of lockdown on Monday night.
According to sources, the decision has been taken since the government did not want to take any chance, given the high numbers of Covid-19 cases in the State.
“The government fears that if the lockdown is lifted, it would lead to increase of coronavirus cases in an even more alarming manner. Hence, it has opted for staggered exit,” sources said.
The Tamilnadu government on Monday night announced extension of lockdown till 31 July, with some relaxations and restrictions in view of the rising coronavirus cases.
In a statement after a meeting with the medical experts panel, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami the complete lockdown, imposed in Chennai and three neighbouring districts from 19 June, and in Madurai introduced from 24 June, would continue till 5 July midnight.
While announcing that the lockdown down restrictions which were in force prior to the 12-day complete lockdown from 19 June in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengelpattu and in Madurai prior to 24 June, would continue till 31 July, the Chief Minister announced total and complete lockdown, without any relaxations, on all Sundays in the month of July to prevent spread of the virus.
However, in other districts, the present restrictions which were in force would continue till the end of next month.
While banning till 15 July all public transport services within districts, which were in force till date, he said e-pass woulkd be made mandatory to travel from one district to other, while it was not required for intra-district movement.
He also said e-pass was a must for travelling outside the State and from coming into the state.