Spike in COVID tally: TN govt imposes complete lockdown from May 10 to 24

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday imposed a complete and total lockdown, with some relaxations, for two weeks across the State from May 10 to 24 in view of the sharp increase in daily corona cases.

Chief Minister M K Stalin, who assumed office yesterday and held a review meeting with all the district collectors and medical experts on the prevailing COVID pandemic, announced that the lockdown will be in force from 4.00 AM of May ten to 4.00 AM on May 24 to flatten the COVID curve and prevent the spread of the virus.

In a bid to ensure that people stock enough essentials ahead of the lockdown, the State government said there would be no restrictions across the State from 0600 hrs to 2100 hrs today and tomorrow.

From Monday onwards, all inter-district and intra-district transport services, including private and private buses, will be off the roads, except for essential travel like weddings, funerals, job interviews and hospitals on production of relevant documents, Mr Salin said in a press release.

While state-owned TASMAC liquor shops will be closed during the entire lockdown period, all shops except vegetables, grocery and provision stores and meat stalls, would remain closed.

Non air-conditioned provision and grocery stores and meat stalls will remain open till 12 noon with a maximum of 50 per cent customers.

Except for those involved in food delivery, other e-commerce firms would also not be allowed to function, while hotels and restaurants are allowed to function for takeaway services only.

Mr Stalin also announced that tea shops will remain open only till 12 noon.

Beauty parlours, salons and spas, besides all social, political, sports, recreational, educational and cultural events would not be allowed during the lockdown.

Barring essential departments such as offices in the Secretariat, health, revenue, police, fire service, district administration, drinking water and electricity, “no government office will function”, he added.

Except for continuous process industries, all private offices, including IT and ITES firms, will remain closed and allowed to work from home.

All temples and places of worship, beaches and tourist spots like the Ooty in Nilgiris district and Kodaikanal will remain closed.

Announcing a few relaxations, Mr Stalin said Amma canteens, which offer food at subsidised rates, will continue to function along with pavement shops selling flowers and vegetables till 12 noon.

While ration shops will function from 0800 hrs to 1200 noon, organisations caring for the elderly and differently-abled would be allowed to function.

Apart from courts, the ongoing construction in situ construction activities is also allowed.

Petrol and diesel bunks would also continue to function as usual along with banks, ATMs and bank-related transport with 50 per cent staff. (UNI)