Chennai: Extending the lockdown till this year end in view of the Omicron virus spread in other States, Tamilnadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has said New Year revelry will be banned in all beaches in the State to prevent spread of the Covid virus.
An official release here said, in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus and taking into account the emergence of mutated Omicron virus cases and in public interest, the lockdown has been extended till 31 December.
Stalin, who reviewed the situation with officials at the State Secretariat here, said taking into consideration the views expressed by medical experts that there was a possibility of increase in spread of virus during festival season and people congregating in public places, the ban on social, cultural and political events will continue.
‘In a bid to control the prevent of spread of Covid, celebrations will be banned in all beaches on the New Year eve and on the New Year day (1 January)’, Stalin said.
Public will not be allowed to assemble in beaches across the State for New Year revelry, while already allowing continuance of the relaxations by following the Covid Standard Operating Procedure announced by the government.
Stalin also announced that considering the lockdown in place and taking into account the reduction in skill development among the students for not attending physical classes in schools for several months and considering their future, high and higher secondary schools will be allowed to function for classes six to 12 from 1 January.
All the colleges and polytechnic institutions will function normally without rotation basis, the Chief Minister said while directing the authorities to intensify test-track-vaccination and follow the Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
While allowing essential events in containment zones like emergency medical care and provision of essential items, committees will be formed for door-to-door monitoring to prevent spread of the virus, Stalin said, adding,
fines will be imposed on those violating the orders.
Though the Covid daily case load was under control in Tamilnadu, the spread of Omicron variant in neighbouring States and the possibility of spread of the virus due to non-wearing of masks by the public, he appealed to the people to avoid congregating in public places during festival seasons and compulsory wear face masks and follow social distancing norms and get vaccinated in the camps organised by the government.