Chennai: With the State government already giving the nod for standalone shops to function without air-conditioning, several shops were opened in T Nagar Ranganathan Street, housing leading textile chains–considered as the common man’s shopping paradise–by strict adherence to lockdown norms.
Roadside tea shops, besides those selling household appliances and small jewellery shops too functioned. Shopping hubs of the city like Broadway, Purasawalkam and Tambaram too saw reopening of shops.
Though all educational institutions, including schools and colleges continued to remain closed, all banks, central and state government government offices functioned.
After a 54-day long hiatus, all state government offices functioned from today with 50 per cent attendance in batches.
The government operated Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus services from important destinations for the benefit of state government employees.
Companies and industries outside Chennai and in other parts of the state were allowed to function with limited numbers by compulsorily maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks.
Commercial establishments which have been closed during the first three phase pf lockdown were also allowed to function from today only for maintenance purposes with minimum number of workers.
The government, however, said the ban on visits to tourist spots like Udhagamandalam, Kodaikanal and Yercaud would continue.
Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami said all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, theatres, bars, gyms, beach, tourist spots, zoological parks, museums, swimming pools, sports stadia, big auditoriums, conference halls will continue to remain shut till 31 May.
He also said the ban on public darshan in places of worship and all religious gatherings will continue.
He also said all modes of public transport including air and rail services, buses, inter-state bus services, Chennai Metro, taxi, auto, cyclerickshaws, hotels, resorts would not function.
Under the MGNREGA scheme, instead of 50 per cent workers, from today 100 per cent workers were allowed to work.