Chennai: Amid rise in coronavirus cases, the Tamilnadu government on Sunday evening announced extension of lockdown till 30 September, while announcing several relaxations, that included cancellation of e-pass system, opening of all temples and places of worship, operation of public transport and Chennai Metro Train services from 1 September.
In a statement here, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said the decision to extend the lockdown and several new relaxations was taken based on the feed back received at the meeting of all district collectors and with the public health experts and expert medical panel.
While announcing cancellation of total lockdown on Sundays, Palaniswami, however, said the restrictions that were in force in containment zones would continue. The fresh relaxations that would come into force from Tuesday included:
* Cancellation of e-pass system for travel within the State, while it is mandatory for those entering the State from abroad and other states by train, air and other modes of transport.
* Public will be allowed for darshan in all places of worship by following Standard Operation Procedure and restricting the number of devotees in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
* Operating of public and private transport within in districts and Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus services in Chennai (after a gap of nearly five months).
* Chennai Metro services from 7 September seven, while a decision on local and passenger trains would be taken after 15 September.
* Shopping malls (theatres in malls to remain shut), all showrooms and big format stores can function with 100 per cent staff.
* Extending functioning of all shops, tea shops and hotels in the state by an hour till 8 pm.
* Functioning of all industries and IT firms with 100 per cent staff, while encouraging work from home option.
* Opening of hotels, resorts and recreation clubs and other clubs.
* Opening of gyms, parks and stadia for training (without public entry in stadiums),
* Opening of skill and industrial trianing centres from 21 September.
* Functioning of all government offices with 100 per cent staff from the present 50 per cent, by appointing a Covid-19 prevention Nodal Officer.
* Allowing banks and its allied institutions to work with 100 per cent workforce.
* Allowing tourists with e-pass from from District Collectors to popular spots like the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud.
* Resumption of film shooting with a maximum of 75 people at a time.
* Cancellation of total lockdown on Sundays.
* Resumption of inter-State train services on selected routes, but a decision of allowing train services in TN will be taken after 15 September depending on the situation.
* Increase in arrival of domestic flights from 25 to 50.
* Palaniswami said however, all schools and colleges, research institutions and all educational institutions would remain closed till further orders (while online classes are allowed).
* He also said theatres, swimming pools, enteratinment and amusement parks, big halls, beach, zoo, museums and tourist spots and places where public would congregate in large numnbers would remain shut, while the ban on operation of suburban EMU train services and religious, political and social events and procession and cultural events would also continue.