The Tamil Nadu Government, on the 30th of July, extended lockdowns on Sundays till the 31st of August.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, issued a statement regarding the same and said, “The lockdown extension is done based on views expressed by the district collectors during a video-conference on Wednesday and public health experts on Thursday, also in consultation with the senior ministers.”
The decision was taken considering the rise of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 cases in the State.
Meanwhile, under Unlock 3.0, the State Government allowed all private offices, industrial establishments and export-oriented units to function with 75% strength. The permission has been given to non containment zones in Greater Chennai Police Limits.
In addition, delivery of goods, including non-essential items, by e commerce sites are also allowed from the 1st of August.
Restaurants are permitted to function between 6:00 A.M., to 7:00 P.M., with 50 % seating capacity for dine in.
However, a few rules have been set for restaurants such as air conditioners should not be switched on, take away service allowed only between 6:00 A.M., and 9:00 P.M.
Besides restaurants, teashops are also allowed to function with 50% seating capacity.
Similarly, vegetable shops and grocery shops are also permitted between 6:00 A.M., and 7:00 P.M.
All other shops will be permitted to open between 10:00 A.M., and 7:00 P.M.
The Tamil Nadu Government also allowed the function of religius places which has an annual income of less than Rs. 10,000 and are located in small villages, panchayats and towns.
Similarly small mosques, dargas, churches and other religious places with the same standard of procedure (SOP) are allowed to function.
“Public worship will not be allowed in religious places in corporations,” the chief minister said.
Independence Day will be celebrated in the state, adhering to social distancing norms and wearing masks.
The chief minister also announced activities that remain prohibited until further orders in the lockdown period.
Hotels and other hospitality services, except those that are meant to house health, police, government officials, healthcare workers, stranded persons, including tourists and for quarantine facilities would remain closed.
Shopping malls, schools, colleges, training and coaching institutions are not permitted to reopen. The institutions shall continue online/distance learning.
The other prohibited activities include international air travel of passengers, except permitted by the Union government, metro rail and suburban trains, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls, beaches, tourist places, zoos, museums and similar places.
All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings and large congregations are also not allowed.
The lockdown would be in effect from the 1st of August and would be on the 2nd of August, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th of August.
Stay tuned for further updates.
