Chennai: As the Covid daily caseload graph continued to show a declining trend in several districts, the Tamilnadu government on Sunday announced extension of lockdown by one more week from today till 28 June with more relaxations.
The government classified the total 38 districts in the State into three types and said in 11 districts–Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai–where the caseload was on the higher side, there would not be any additional relaxations and the present restrictions will continue.
While more relaxations, including extending the timing of shops and schools/colleges admission related works are allowed in the remaining 27 districts (Type-2 23 districts), in Type-3 comprising four districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet, public transport is allowed from today with 50 per cent seating capacity.
Chennai Metro train services will also be allowed with 50 per cent seating capacity.
The lockdown, which was implemented on 10 May was being extended by every week and the last one came to an end at 6 am today. It was now extended by one more week to prevent the spread of the pandemic till 28 June morning.
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.
In addition to the existing relaxations, 23 districts (categorised as Type II districts) have been granted fresh relaxations.
The Type-II districts are Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Kanniyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Ranipet, Sivaganga, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tiruppattur, Tiruvannamalai, Thoothukudi, Tiruchi, Villuppuram and Virudhunagar districts.
Apart from intra-district public transport, groceries, vegetable stores and meat stalls would be allowed to operate between 6 am to 7 pm.
Shops selling flowers and fruits on pavements were also allowed during this period.
Eateries, restaurants and bakeries are allowed for takeaway services only from 6 am to 9 pm along with food delivery services.
‘All essential government departments are allowed to function with cent per cent staff strength while the remaining departments are allowed with 50 per cent staff,’ he said.
All private companies are also allowed with 33 per cent staff.
Other relaxations for Type-3 districts included functioning of computer hardware, software, electronic appliance spare parts shops, thsoe selling construction materials, increase in timing for beauty parlours, saloons, spas, conduct of outdoor sporting activites without spectators, resumption of film and TN serial shootings with a maximum of 100 members, post production works.