R. ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, APRIL 1
A day after the spike in the number of corona infections in the state, the Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami appeals to the Tablighi Jamaat attendees to voluntarily come forward and get themselves tested for COVID-19, here on Wednesday.
Addressing reporters, after inspecting some of the state-run Amma Unavagams’ in Santhome and Kamarajar Nagar along with Senior Minister D. Jayakumar and Corporation Commissioner G. Prakash, the Chief Minister said that several people who took part in the meet from Tamil Nadu at the national capital, recently, have tested positive.
Out of 1500 total participants from Tamil Nadu, 1131 men have returned from the congregation. “About 515 people have been identified…others who took part in the meet should voluntarily get in touch with the authorities…we have not got the addresses of others fully,” he said apparently indicating that their whereabouts could not be ascertained so far. Of the attendees from Tamil Nadu, 50 tested positive on Tuesday.
Considering the severity of coronavirus and its potential to adversely impact the larger society, returnees should approach the authorities so that they could be tested and treated if needed, he said.
The National Health Mission Tamil Nadu has separately appealed to ”Tablighi Jamaat brothers,” to contact health authorities immediately at the specified phone numbers (7824849263/044 46274411) as participants of the conference might be at risk of contracting coronavirus.
Asked if participants at an event held by Isha Yoga last month in Tamil Nadu will be tested, he said it will be done if they have symptoms and cannot say anything if the participants do not show any symptoms, the Chief Minister said. Palaniswami said that the government ordered closure of all places of worship irrespective of religion.
In reply to a question, whether there are chances of lockdown getting extended beyond April 14, he said that only the Central government will take a decision.
Lockdown: collective responsibility is the need of the hour
When reporters posed a question of perceived slackness by people in sticking to lockdown, he said “every life is important, everybody should play a role and come together and only then the spread of coronavirus could be stopped.”
Without understanding the seriousness of the infection people were going about in public places and this must be avoided, the Chief Minister appealed.
In a separate audio, he urged the people to stay back at home and reassured that the government was taking all the necessary steps to halt the spread of the contagion.
There is no bar either on agricultural activities or in taking the produce to markets, he said.
TMMK condemns government’s charge.
Condemning the Health Secretary’s charge that those who had returned from the Muslim congregation held in New Delhi were responsible for the spread of the virus, the M.H. Jawahirullah, President, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) appealed to the community that if anybody have coronavirus symptoms then they should come forward voluntarily for the mandatory test, here on Wednesday.
1.25 lakh arrested, released on bail
As many as 1,25,793 persons were arrested for violating the lockdown rules by roaming around in urban and rural areas across the state. All of them were released on bail later, sources in the police department said.
