Chennai: Though he is yet to officially assume charge as the Chief Minister, M K Stalin is already on the job. For the second consecutive day, the DMK supremo held consultations with top officials including the Chief Secretary Rajeev Ranjan, Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan, Finance Secretary and Revenue Secretary to discuss measures to be implemented to control the spread of the pandemic.
Interestingly, after Stalin held similar disucssions with officials on Monday, a day after his party posted a spectacular victory in the Tamilnadu Assembly elections, the State government announced implementing a string of fresh restrictions from 6 May.
The restrictions will be in force between 4 am of 6 May and 4 am of 20 May.
All government and private offices would be allowed to function with a maximum of 50 per cent employees, said an official release.
It also restricted travel on rail and government and private buses, on metro trains and on taxis to only 50 per cent of their respective capacities.
Apart from non air-conditioned provision and grocery stores, all other shops would not be allowed to be function. Only 50 per cent customers are to be allowed in provision and grocery shops, which would be permitted to function only till 12 noon.
The statement added: ‘There would be no bar on medical shops and the supply of milk. Only take away service would be allowed in restaurants and hotels. Tea shops would be allowed to function only till 12 noon.’
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‘Beauty parlors and spas have already been prohibited in corporations and municipalities. Now, they will not be allowed in containment zones of the rural areas,’ it added.
As ordered earlier, fish markets, chicken and meat stalls will not be allowed on Saturdays (and Sundays due to Sunday lockdown). They will be allowed rest of the week between 6 am and noon.