Chennai: Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced extension of lockdown in the State to prevent spread of corona epidemic from today to 28 February with more relaxations.
In a statement here, Palaniswami, who reviewed the Covid-19 pandemic situation with the district Collectors and also with the medical panel, healthcare experts and Ministers at the State Secretariat three days back, said the lockdown was being extended from 1 February till the midnight of 28 February.
Among the relaxations announced included resumption of UG and PG classes in all colleges, which were closed since March last year due to the corona induced lockdown, from 8 February, re-opening of schools for classes nine and 11 (already classes 10 and 12 were allowed to function), functioning of petrol bunks round-the-clock (earlier restricted till 2200 hrs) and opening of swimming pools by following the Standard Operating Procedures.
Palaniswami said, in line with the announcement made by the Centre, 100 per cent seating arrangements were allowed in multiplexes, screens in shopping malls and all theatres, besides functioning of exhibition halls.
He also announced that all religious meetings, social, political and sports, entertainment, educational and cultural events would be allowed with a maximum of 50 per cent seating capacity or a maximum of 600 people, besides allowing 50 per cent spectators in all sporting events, including cricket, bathing in Rameswaram and holding grievance day meetings.
He said the relaxations were announced taking into account the fact that less than 550 cases were reported for the last ten days and those under treatment has come down from more than 50,000 to 4,629 at present.
Except in containment zones, the relaxations already announced from 1 January would continue to be in force.
Stating that the corona spread has been controlled due to various steps taken by the government, Palaniswami said keeping this in mind, public were instructed to wear masks while going out and follow all the prevention measures put in place by the government.
