Chennai: Companies and industries outside Chennai and in other parts of the State were allowed to function with 100 per cent staff from today, as ease of restrictions came to effect.
All private companies IT and ITES sector in Chennai functioned with 50 per cent staff, besides non-AC showrooms and major establishments, including jewellery and textiles, by catering to a maximum of five customers at a time from today. Saloons and beauty parlours–without AC–were also open from today.
In non-containment areas outside Chennai, industries, IT and ITES firms were allowed to operate with 100 per cent staff, with the extension of work from home option.
In the rest of Tamilnadu, except Madurai, where the intense lockdown, which was in force from 24 to 30 June was extended till 12 July in view of the increasing cases, life was near normal as shops were open.
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said once the complete lockdown ended in Chennai (on 5 July), the relaxations that were in place before 19 June would come into force in non-containment areas.
However, on Saturday, the Chief Minister partially modified the relaxations and said hotels/restaurants and tea shops would be allowed to offer only takeaway services until further orders. No Dine-in services (which were allowed before the 19 June lockdown) will be allowed.
He said restaurants/hotels were allowed from 0600 hrs to 2100 along with online delivery, while tea stalls were to function from 600 am to 6pm, same as vegetable and grocery shops.
Small temples, churches, mosques and darghas in rural areas of Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and other districts, which earns a revenue of less than Rs 10,000 per year, were re-opened for public from today as per the Chief Minister’s announcement.
