R. ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, AUG 30
Tamil Nadu has extended the Covid-19 lockdown till September 30 with many relaxations, including dropping the need for e-pass to travel within the State. However, the e-pass system will continue for entry into the State.
The fresh relaxations will not apply to any Covid-19 containment zones across the State.
Intra-district bus services (both government and private) and Chennai Metropolitan bus services will resume from September 1 with Standard Operating Procedure in place. Metro rail will commence from September 7. However, sub-urban rail services will continue to be under suspension.
The State government has increased the number of flights to arrive in Chennai to 50 from the present 25. In Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Thoothukudi and Salem the existing norms will continue, said a statement issued by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami on Sunday evening.
A new protocol for quarantine and testing will be issued for passengers arriving by air (both from abroad and domestic) and through rail from other States. While interstate rail services will be allowed in select routes, there will not be intra-State services till September 15. A decision will be taken based on the situation then, the statement said.
The intense lockdown on Sundays has been removed from September.
The State government has permitted the opening of shopping malls, showrooms, big format stores with 100 per cent employee strengths. However, multiplex inside the shopping malls will remain closed.
Places of worship will be opened for devotees but with restrictions on the number of persons to be allowed in the sanctum sanctorum at the same time. Shops can remain open till 8 pm.
Hotels, resorts and clubs have also been allowed to open. However, visitors will be allowed into the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud and other hill stations by obtaining e-passes from respective District Collectors.
From September 1, all state government offices and banks will function with 100 per cent employee strength from the present 50 per cent, the statement said.
Relaxations from September 1
- All temples in Tamil Nadu opened for public worship.
- In Chennai, MTC buses can ply from September 1.
- Metro Rail will be operated from September 7.
- Shopping malls, all show rooms, big format stores can function with 100 percent employees.
- All shops will be allowed to be open till 8 pm.
- All factories and IT companies can function with 100 percent employees.
- Hotels, resorts, recreation clubs can function. Parks and playgrounds will opened.
- Govt offices will start functioning with 100 percent employees from September 1.
- Banks and allied institutions can function with 100 percent employees.
- Complete lockdown on Sundays will not be there from September 1.
- Hotels, tea shops will be will be allowed to function between 6 am to 8 pm., while takeaways will be allowed till 9 pm.
- Fresh relaxations would not apply to any COVID19 containment zones across TamilNadu where the lockdown has been extended till September 30
- Suspension of sub urban train services to continue
- No reopening of schools, colleges, cinema halls, swimming pools, amusement parks, beaches, zoos, museums, tourist spots, until further orders
- Parks and playgrounds to open for physical exercise and sports training purposes. However, no audience to be allowed
- Chennai Airport would be allowed to receive 50 a day (hitherto 25); however, status quo to continue in Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Tuticorin and Salem airports
- A new protocol for quarantine and testing would be issued for international and domestic Air Passengers and other State Rail Passengers
- Inter-State rail services allowed only in select routes; But, no intra-State rail services until September 15
- Shooting in cine industry is allowed to operate with 75 persons; However, no audience to be allowed
- Visitors to be allowed into the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud and hill stations by obtaining e-Passes from respective District Collector
- Banks and related services permitted to use 100% of their staff
- Intra-district bus services (both government and private) and Chennai metropolitan bus services to resume from September 1 by following Standard Operating Procedure
- All places of worship to open
- Shopping malls, show rooms and big formal stores can open with 100% staff; however, cinema halls cannot open
- Tamil Nadu government drops e-Pass system for inter-district movements; but e-Pass system to continue for entry into Tamil Nadu
Complete lockdown observed today
However, an intense lockdown was observed on Sunday across Tamil Nadu as part of efforts to fight COVID-19 and only healthcare services and milk supply continued as usual.
Effective since last month on all Sundays, the complete lockdown saw closure of fuel pumps, markets and outlets selling essential commodities.
People stayed indoors and roads were largely deserted and police set up checkposts at important intersections across Tamil Nadu to check against violations.
Policemen could be seen warning those who ventured out on streets without any valid reason in several regions.
Amma Canteens and healthcare services -hospitals, pharmacies and labs- functioned and sanitary workers continued their routine clean up work.
Personnel of civic bodies conducted door-to-door surveys to detect people with flu like symptoms in addition to fever camps.
