Chennai: As the Covid daily caseload graph continued to show a declining trend in several districts, The Tamilnadu government on Friday announced extension of lockdown by one more week from 14 to 21 June, with more relaxations.
However, in 11 districts where the caseload was on the higher side, the government announced minor relaxations, while extending the lockdown.
The lockdown, which was implemented on 10 May was being extended by every week and the present one will come to an end at 6 am on 14 June and it was now extended by one more week to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
In a statement here, Chief Minister M K Stalin said the decision to extend the lockdown was taken based on the discussions he had with health and medical experts after reviewing the situation district-wise to prevent spread of the virus and save the precious lives of the people.
While Chennai, northern and southern districts where the cases have come down will have more relaxations, 11 districts–Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai–will have additional relaxations in view of the higher caseload.
Stalin said in these 11 districts, house-keeping services, electricians, plumbers, motor technicians and carpenters were allowed to serve at the doorsteps from 9 am to 5 pm with e-registration.
Apart from this, cycle and two-wheeler service centres and mechanics were allowed to function from 9 am to 2 pm, apart from autos, cabs and taxis with e-registration.
In the remaining 27 districts, where the cases have shown a declining trend, the government announced more relaxations, including opening of up State-owned TASMAC liquor shops from 10 am to 5 pm, beauty parlous, saloons and spas without AC facility from 6 am to 5 pm with 50 per cent capacity, opening of government parks and those controlled by local bodies for walking purposes from 6 am to 9 pm, pumpsets and agri-related equipment repair shops (no sales) are also allowed to function from 9 am to 5 pm.
While shops and service centres dealing with repairs of household items like mixie, grinder, TV were allowed from 9 am to 2 pm, shops selling mobile phones were also allowed to operate during the same period.
However, public and private transport services, shopping complexes, malls, tourist places, will continue to remain shut across the State.