People throng shops in panic to fill their larder

TNN | Mar 24, 2020, 04.21 AM IST

Chennai: As the curfew lifted on Monday, people fearing a lockdown thronged grocery and vegetable shops as well as markets. Zam Bazaar market was crowded with people eager to stock up on supplies. While many went to the chicken and fish shops, several others were busy buying sacks of rice.

"I usually don’t get people asking for sacks of rice but today we have had many customers," says Mohan, a trader. "People are stocking up because they fear a shutdown." Though social distancing is the need of the hour, none of the shoppers seemed aware of the gravity of the situation.

It was a different scenario at Kovai Pazhamudir Nilayam (KPN) on North Boag Road, T Nagar. By noon, there was a small queue of customers lining up before the entrance as the store is particular about the numbers allowed in at a time. A female employee, wearing a mask, took down names and numbers of customers, while another sprayed sanitiser onto the palms of those entering. "We have been insisting that customers use sanitiser before they enter our stores for more than a week now," says Senthil Natarajan, managing director, KPN. "We have also put in place a policy wherein only 20 people can be present in the store at a time," he says, adding that the protocol has been put in place across all 34 stores in Chennai.

While the store has been trying to ensure social distancing, customers do not seem to be sticking to it. Once inside, people often do not maintain distance as they rush to grab supplies. "There has been a rush in all our stores. We have tried reassuring people that there is no need to hoard," says Natarajan.

At More supermarket in Thiruvanmiyur, only up to 10 customers are allowed inside at a time. "People from our apartment complex are constantly sharing messages not to hoard supplies as the store is well stocked now," says Anuradha Balasubramanian, a resident of Ramaniyam Abhishek apartment complex located above the supermarket.

At Nilgiris supermarket in Madipakkam, residents poured in to stock up on essential supplies. "We have been given orders to limit the number of customers inside the store. So far we’ve had no shortage of milk, fruits and vegetables," says the store manager S Alagappan.

(With inputs from V Ayyappan and

Saranya Chakrapani)

3 city GHs to pay up for illegal dumping of biomedical waste

Mar 24, 2020, 04.24 AM IST

Chennai: Following private healthcare facilities (HCFs), government hospitals are now facing action for violating biomedical waste disposal rules and dumping untreated waste into sewers.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has penalised at least 11 government hospitals across the state hefty amounts, ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 80 lakh, for flouting the rules. This includes Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMC), Institute of Child Health and Welfare in Chennai. Tirupur GH stood first among violators and has been fined Rs 83 lakh.

“Many of these hospitals didn’t have an effluent treatment plant (ETP) and disposed biomedical waste into underground sewers without pre-treatment. This included waste from operation theaters, testing labs and laundry rooms,” said a senior TNPCB official.

Delhi faced a public health and environmental concern last December stemmed from similar waste disposal. With many sewer lines criss-crossing with drinking water pipes, leaks led to liquid waste from hospitals mixing with the potable water.

Earlier six private hospitals in Tamil Nadu were also fined. Without an efficient ETP, the HCFs become ineligible for the mandatory environmental clearance (EC) from TNPCB. Sixty three such HCFs were shut down for illegal biomedical waste dumping after a NGT order.

TNPCB has issued a final warning to other HCFs, some of which continue to dump blood samples without disinfecting or fail to use bar-coded bags for the disposal flouting NGT and Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.

Coronavirus scare: Chennai hospital to deploy robots to deliver food, medicines in wards

TNN | Mar 24, 2020, 04.25 AM IST

CHENNAI: Soon, robots will deliver food, beverages, and tablets to Covid-19 positive patients in the isolation ward of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital here. They will carry monitors and cameras to aid video conferencing between patients and care givers.

A private university that developed the technology will organise a demo for doctors and paramedical staff after which they will deploy the robots. “The aim is to reduce frequent exposure for health staff and limit the number of people entering the ward,” said dean Dr J Jayanthi.

While doctors and nurses will continue their rounds and duties in the wards, the robots will be sent in for nonmedical needs. Studies show that the virus can stay alive on steel for three days and cardboard for up to 24 hours. Such machines are being used in several countries as frontline workers. For instance, in China a machine that has a robotic arm on wheels performs ultrasound scans, takes mouth swabs and listens to sounds made by a patient’s organs. Some others clean surfaces with disinfectants and hand over hand sanitisers.

Last week, the hospital, which sees 80,000 footfalls a day, shut all private canteens and eateries, restricted visitors and outpatients, and advised doctors to postpone elective surgeries. The pharmacy will also give 30 days supply of drugs, instead of the usual one week, to patients with chronic ailments.

The GH has also opened the ground floor Tower 3 block as a Covid-19 outpatient ward. “We decided not to wait for the inauguration. Having a separate unit will prevent people with symptoms entering the main hospital,” said health minster C Vijayabaskar. At least 150 beds have been set aside in six of the eight floors in the rheumatology block.

Meanwhile, a pulmonology block is now getting converted into 30-bed isolation unit that will satisfy international standards.

Covid-19: Family cardholders in Tamil Nadu to get Rs 1,000 each

TNN | Mar 24, 2020, 11.26 AM IST

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edapapdi K Palaniswami on Tuesday announced a Rs 3,280crore relief package to help people in the wake of the rising Covid-19 cases. All family card holders will get a cash support of Rs 1,000 each.

The family cardholders can also avail rice, dal, edible oil and sugar for April free of cost. The government will give tokens to avoid rush at PDS outlets. Those who don’t wish to get the cash support could register online.

Those who fail to get the commodities in March could get them in April too, along with the entitlement for that month.

Unregistered pavement vendors will get an additional cash support of Rs 1,000, besides the Rs 1,000 announced for PDS cardholders. MGNREGS workers will get a special pay for two days.

Making a suo motu statement in the assembly, the chief minister said lockdown would come into effect in the state at 6pm on Tuesday. “Due to the announcement, the livelihood of public, including daily wage labourers, taxi drivers, construction and unorganised sector workforce, pavement vendors and elders will be affected hugely,” he said.

“The families of construction workers and auto drivers enrolled in the driver welfare board will get a special cash support of Rs 1,000, 15kg of rice, one kg of dal, one kg of edible oil,” chief minister said.

The district collectors and labour welfare boards will identify migrant construction labourers and offer 15kg of rice, one kg of dal and one kg of edible oil free of cost.

Amma Unavagams, the budget canteens in the state, will continue to offer food.

The chief minister said district collectors and the Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner have been directed to set up community kitchens to prepare food for the needy. “District collectors have been told to offer food at the doorstep of the senior citizens, who avail the services of anganwadi centres,” Palaniswami said.

Mayiladuthurai to be Tamil Nadu’s 38th district

TNN | Mar 24, 2020, 11.56 AM IST

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday announced bifurcation of Nagapattinam district to create a new district with Mayiladuthurai as its headquarters. Mayiladuthirai will be the 38th district in the state.

Making a suo motu announcement in the assembly, the chief minister said, “The district is created for administrative reasons and to speed up the welfare measures to the public.”

While laying the foundation stone for the construction of a new medical college earlier this month, Palaniswami said the government was considering the bifurcation, a long pending demand.

With this, the EPS government has created six new districts in the last one year. Earlier, it created Tenkasi by bifurcating Tirunelveli, Chengalpet by bifurcating Kancheepuram, Kallakurichi by bifurcating Villupuram and Ranipet and Tirupattur by trifurcating Vellore.

During the debate in the assembly on Tuesday, deputy speaker Pollachi V Jayaraman demanded that the government create Pollachi district since the Pollachi municipality has been in existence for the last 100 years.

Coronavirus in Chennai: Three more patients test positive for Covid-19

TNN | Mar 24, 2020, 01.59 PM IST

CHENNAI: Three more Covid-19 cases have been reported in Chennai, taking the total number of novel coronavirus-infected patients in Tamil Nadu to 15, health minister C Vijaya Baskar said on Tuesday.

The minister said all the three patients had returned from abroad. A 74-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, both of whom returned from the US, are admitted to Stanley Medical College and Hospital. A 25-year-old patient, who returned from Switzerland, has been admitted to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. They are residents of Porur, Purasawalkam and Keelkattalai.

At present, 14 patients are undergoing treatment for the viral infection in the state. The condition of a patient admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai continues to remain critical while all other patients are stable.

One patient, who was cured, was discharged from hospital last week.

Covid-19 scare in Tamil Nadu: Doctors, nurses, sanitary workers and others to get additional one month salary

TNN | Mar 24, 2020, 01.15 PM IST

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday announced an additional one month salary for doctors, nurses, local body officials, sanitary workers and others involved in the efforts to combat Covid-19.

While making a suo motu statement in the assembly, the chief minister asked MLAs and ministers to clap their hands to thank people involved treating patients and preventing the spread of the disease. The members clapped their hands as suggested by the CM.

The chief minister appealed to the public to extend cooperation in controlling the virus. "All those who return from abroad must register themselves for screening. Those who have symptoms must admit themselves in hospitals and get treatment," said Palaniswami

He said many people coming from abroad land in Bengaluru and entre Tamil Nadu from there. “We are not able to identify and screen them,” he said.

Covid-19 scare: Bus services from Chennai’s CMBT stopped

TNN | Mar 24, 2020, 03.32 PM IST

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu transport department on Tuesday afternoon stopped bus services from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) at Koyambedu.

The last batch of buses left around 2.30pm. If operated beyond this, it will be difficult for drivers to return before 6pm when the lockdown begins in the state to prevent spread of Covid-19. The lockdown will be in force till March 31.

Around 2,850 buses were operated from CMBT on Monday night to clear extra rush of passengers. More than 1.9 lakh passengers left Chennai using these buses, according to official data. The excess crowd turned CMBT chaotic on Monday night.

In addition to this, around 30,000 people boarded buses at Tambaram. As many as 430 buses were operated from Tambaram.

Saving the strays: Good samaritans feed furry friends in Chennai

TNN | Mar 25, 2020, 04.20 AM IST

CHENNAI: M Neelagandan got married five months ago. But he will be next meeting his wife only after the lockdown period ends. For, the animal lover has volunteered to stay at the Blue Cross of India shelter during this time of need to help care for the voiceless.

“They need us now more than ever and it gives me great satisfaction to be here for them,” says Neelagandan, who runs a few canteens in the city. “They are shut now, so I have the time to volunteer. My wife supports what I do.”

The lockdown will affect not just humans but animals too. On Monday, Maneka Gandhi appealed on Twitter, requesting people to feed animals. “In the event of a lockdown, if they are not fed, many will die, creating another serious problem. I have asked all animal welfare workers to feed the animals during this period. I will be doing the same,” she wrote.

Animal welfare activists in the city and other individuals have risen to the challenge. With hotels shut, stray animals in the city are finding it difficult to find food. If many starve and die, it will worsen the situation.

At shelters, volunteers and staff are staying on to do their bit. “Twenty two of us, including two vets, two volunteers and Blue Cross staff will stay at the shelter to care for the sick and injured animals. We have 1,263 animals and have to ensure they are fed nutritious meals, and get exercise. We also have to attend to the upkeep of the shelter and go on rescues,” says Dawn Williams, general manager, Blue Cross.

Dinesh Baba, who runs Cloud No 9 Kennel and Nursing Care, is providing cooked food to street animals. “On Monday, I cooked about 75kg of dog food, and fed strays,” says Dinesh, who commutes from Porur to Injambakkam every day.

Sumita Pai, who lives in Alwarpet, has been regularly feeding birds and community animals but plans to make a more concerted effort during the lockdown. “I will follow all government guidelines and directives. I will feed the animals on my own and step out only for a brief period,” she says.

Animal lovers say it is necessary to feed strays but do so in a responsible manner. “You can feed animals in your locality so you don’t have to step out much. Also, do not do it in groups, social distancing is must,” says Dinesh.

In a related development, the Animal Welfare Board of India wrote to all the chief secretaries of all the states and UTs, saying that it had come to their notice that a large number of pet shops or animal breeding facilities where animals and birds are kept for sale are now shutdown. "The animals stranded in such places are likely to suffer and die without food, water, temperature control, etc. All such pet shops are to be evacuated by the State Animal Welfare Boards through SPCAs. Where there is no SPCA available, the district administration shall ensure to check and evacuate all animals," it said in the letter.

No staff, restaurants may remain shut in Chennai

TNN | Mar 25, 2020, 04.16 AM IST

CHENNAI: It will be bad news for those depending on restaurants for food from Wednesday when a majority of standalone restaurants will be shut as part of the lockdown. A few neighbourhood eateries may function.

Chennai Hotels Association secretary R Rajkumar said a sizeable number of the staff employed by restaurants had left the city. “As per government orders, dine-in facilities will not be allowed as there are very few staff members left,” he said.

In a notification, the state government said the operation of app-based food delivery aggregators such as Swiggy, Zomato and Uber has been halted, adding that no one can be engaged in this task. “We expect at least 90% of all standalone restaurants to shut. A few neighbourhood eateries may be opened,” he added.

With a majority of the 8,000 eateries in the city and its fringes shut, city residents began feeling the pinch of closure from Tuesday evening. Madipakkam resident R Siddharth said many had jacked up prices. “Many were closed in our area except for two. However, food was very expensive,” he said. For instance, chicken fried rice, normally priced at Rs 120 a plate, cost Rs 160 a plate on Tuesday. “We don’t know if this eatery too will be shut on Wednesday.”

A majority of those who left the city said they made the decision as they realized getting food would be a problem. “To avoid all this confusion, I left for my hometown on Monday evening. I didn’t mind paying Rs 12,000 for the,” S Nagenthiran, a resident of Guduvanchery, told this reporter over phone.

A few bachelors, who have decided to remain in the city, said they had decided to test their cooking skills at home.

Zoo in Chennai shut for visitors, animals relieved

TNN | Mar 25, 2020, 04.18 AM IST

CHENNAI: The animals and birds at the Vandalur zoo have never been seen in such a relaxed mood, say their keepers.

From K Chellaiah, who is in charge of the white tigers’ enclosure, to M Nagammal, who takes care of the enclosures for deer and the regular tigers, almost every staff member says life for the animals has been most peaceful since March 17 when the zoo was shut over Covid-19 fears.

This is the second time the facility has been closed for a long time. The first time was from January 23 to February 23 in 2002, when a wild leopard strayed into the zoo and the authorities trapped it after a month.

The present situation, though comfortable for the animals, could prove costly for the zoo in terms of revenue, say officials. They, however, admit that the behaviour of the visitors, some of them unruly, causes a lot of strain for the animals.

From 9.45am, when the gates are opened and the first visitors stream in, to when the zoo is closed, the animals are subjected to almost continuous noise. Some try to get as close to the enclosures as possible to take selfies; others shout and clap to draw the attention of the animals. A few others even throw stones at the animals, sometimes hurting them and causing a lot of stress. All this, says

renowned veterinarian N Kalaivanan, leads to loss of natural behaviour for animals and their stress levels go up.

A good example is the Sariska reserve in Rajasthan where the huge number of vehicles affected the reproductive system of tigers and their numbers in Central India fell significantly, he said.

“When animals in captivity are not disturbed, their wild behaviour is restored. Their physiological behaviour is also good and helps in better functioning of their reproductive system,” he said.

Now, Chelliah says, with no visitors to disturb them, the white tigers have been frolicking with their cubs happily.

Nagammal agrees and says the sambar deer, in particular, react instantly to noise and sometimes abandon their feed. No such instances have occurred in the past one week, she says.

It is not only the carnivores such as tigers and leopards that are stressed. Even small mammals such as mongoose and palm civet among a host of animals too get affected badly, Kalaivanan said. That may return when the zoo is ultimately opened, he added.

From chaos to uneasy calm: How city went into curfew

TNN | Mar 25, 2020, 04.50 AM IST

Chennai: Grocery stores, bus stands and Tasmac shops -- that’s where most of the city congregated on Tuesday before the lockdown came into effect. As the day dawned bright and clear, people rushed to neighbourhood stores to stock up on provisions. People crowded stores in Anna Nagar, Choolaimedu, Saidapet, Triplicane, Royapetah, Mylapore and T Nagar.

“I was not planning to stock up but many people were coming and buying things. I realised the seriousness when I found out that the packet of milk powder I picked up was the last one in the shop,” said P Anusuya, a resident shopping at a store on Ellis Road.

The sense of hurry was palpable – whether it was on the busy road or in the shops and small businesses that continued to function. By noon, a few shops started to run out of supplies such as milk powder. Along with noodles, biscuits figured high on the list for customers, who feared stocks may be scarce in the coming days.

Despite the heat and humidity, Zam Bazaar market was bustling with activity at noon and also later in the day when the 6pm deadline drew near. People rushed to buy fruits, vegetables, rice, wheat flour, coconut oil and milk products, with many buying provisions in bulk. They feared that the neighbourhood grocer or supermarket may not get supplies during the lockdown.

“I have stocks but I am not sure whether I will be getting fruits and vegetables from tomorrow. Everything that we sell here comes from Andhra and a few other districts in Tamil Nadu. I do not know how long it will take for the supplies to arrive,” said Mahesh, a fruit shop owner.

With people as well as retail outlets rushing to stock up, vegetable prices in Koyambedu market soared. For the first time, wholesale prices of some of the vegetables were higher than the retail prices. Tomato was sold at Rs 25 per kg in retail outlets while it was priced Rs 40 per kg in Koyambedu. While onions and potatoes sold at Rs 30 and Rs 33 at retail, sellers at Koyambedu charged Rs 10 more.

The Koyambedu bus terminus also saw a lot of activity as people hailing from southern and western districts desperately looked for buses so that they could reach their hometowns before authorities locked the borders. Auto drivers made a killing fleecing passengers who wanted to reach the stand.

Yet another place saw people jostling with one another so that they could stock up for the dry days ahead – Tasmac outlets were crowded from the moment they opened at noon. People with bags in hand waited patiently throughout the afternoon but as the 6pm deadline neared, there was a mad rush. In Choolaimedu, the staff had a tough time dealing with people when it was time to down the shutters. People even prised open the shutters and demanded that they continue to sell booze.

In Zam Bazaar, as the lockdown began, police asked all shop owners, and also restaurants to close. Only medical shops and pushcarts selling fruits were spared. People quickly converged on the vendors to buy the last of their produce.

“They told us in the afternoon that we can function but now they say that it is better to close when the shutdown begins. The police said that we can open in the morning,” said N Mani, who runs an eatery.

Post 6pm, police patrolled the city, asking traders to shut shops. Just as quickly, silence fell over the city, and the main thoroughfares looked deserted. The busy city settled down for the night, and braced for the long fight ahead. 21 days.

(With inputs from B A Raju and A Prathap)

Covid-19 lockdown in Tamil Nadu: Travelling for work in Chennai? Remember to carry these documents

Mar 24, 2020, 08.35 PM IST

CHENNAI: After the lockdown came into force in Tamil Nadu to combat spread of Covid-19, Chennai police commissioner A K Viswanathan and Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G Prakash on Tuesday evening said people who have to travel for work should carry a proper identity proof and their company's ID card. Section 144 was invoked in the state at 6pm.

However, people going out to buy essential items need not carry ID proof.

"Since this is an extraordinary medical emergency, we have brought these stringent measures into place. Thirty joint teams of corporation and police will be on rounds checking who violates this," Prakash said.

Prakash said only retail shoppers should come to wholesale markets. People should restrict themselves to buying from neighbourhood shops thereby preventing crowds at larger markets.

Prakash said 3,500-4,000 domestic breeding checkers of the GCC have been given full body suits, gloves and boots to be used by them while they conduct door-to-door fever survey.

Passport services suspended till March 31

24/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,COIMBATORE

Following orders from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Regional Passport Office in Coimbatore said in a communiqué on Monday that the Passport Seva Kendra in Coimbatore and Post Office Passport Kendras at Coonoor, Erode, Salem and Namakkal will not function till March 31. Those who had booked appointments during these days were advised to re-schedule their appointments after April 7. Applicants can contact the following numbers for any doubts: 0422 2301415, 2300250, 2306111.

Teaching, non-teaching faculty continue to work

24/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,COIMBATORE

Even as the State government imposed restrictions on people’s movement under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in its efforts to combat the spread COVID-19, teaching and non-teaching faculty continued to work.

The faculty and administrative staff reported for work even though the government had a fortnight ago closed colleges for students.

Sources in the Department of Collegiate Education said that faculty and non-teaching staff in the 14 government-run and 18 government-aided colleges in the Coimbatore region continued to work as there was no communication from the Department.

The Coimbatore region comprised Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur and Erode districts.

Commenting on the issue, former general secretary, Association of University Teachers, C. Pichandy said the Government should have long ago taken a stand saying colleges were closed for teaching and administrative staff as well.

What was the use of faculty reporting for work in the absence of students, asked N. Pasupathy, State president of the Association.

There was nothing that the faculty could do in the absence of students. And, the government not issuing directions and thereby asking the faculty and administrative staff to work had no meaning.

Instead of treating the faculty and staff like any other government employee, the government would do well to issue instructions asking them to not report for work.

It could ask the faculty and administrative staff to return to work when it reopened colleges.

Department sources said the Government was yet to issue any directions on faculty and staff reporting for duty.

T.N. branch of IMA comes forward to help government

24/03/2020, WILSON THOMAS

The Tamil Nadu branch of the Indian Medical Association has come forward to help the State Government for the management of COVID-19.

Bed strength

IMA informed the government that willing member hospitals were ready to keep 50% of their bed strength reserved for the management of COVID-19 in case of any eventuality.

If any private hospital was ready to convert its entire facility for COVID-19 management, that was also welcomed by IMA.

The decision was taken in a three-hour-long web conferencing held on Sunday in which Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh, and other senior health officials and government officials, as well as the national president of the IMA, State officer-bearers of the IMA, and members of the medial body across the State took part.

The government decided that private hospitals empanelled under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme could be used for COVID-19 management in the first level, if required.

IMA Tamil Nadu has 4,500 member hospitals and 36,000 members in 166 branches.

Ms. Rajesh said the Department has identified laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories to be roped in for COVID-19 testing, if required.

IMA State president C.N. Raja requested the Health Minister to consider insurance for medical professionals, in government and private sectors, as they are first in line to get exposed to the virus while handling patients.

“Insuring medical professionals will encourage them to combat the epidemic. It will boost their morale,” said State secretary A.K. Ravikumar.

IMA has shared a PowerPoint presentation to all member hospitals on how to equip their facilities for COVID-19 management as per government protocol.

© 2017 All Rights Reserved. Powered by Summit exclusively for The Hindu

Fear grips teachers

24/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,COIMBATORE

A view of Corporation Primary School in Siddhapudur, one of the schools where teachers come to work despite the school being shut on Monday. M. Periasamy M_PERIASAMY

With the State government shutting down all educational institutions, teachers have been going to schools since March 17 owing to lack of specific instructions from the Department of School Education.

A teacher from a government primary school in the outskirts of Coimbatore city told The Hindu that teachers have been staying in schools from 9 a.m to 4 p.m in the past week.

“There is fear among all of the teachers here,” she said, noting that teachers choose to sit in separate classrooms rather than as a group.

The teachers have been carrying out preparatory works for the next academic year, the teacher said.

Private schools also are no exception to this. R. Visalakshi, president of Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, said that the teachers are made to come to schools as the public examinations for Class XII and XI are under way. “If [the State Government] ask us to declare holiday for teachers, we will declare,” she said.

“Most of the teachers have been performing only clerical works,” said T. Arulanandam, State Auditor of Tamil Nadu High Higher Secondary School Graduate Teachers Association (TNHHSSGTA). These works, such as entering the particulars of the students and their attendance details, could be done by teachers from their homes, he noted.

Mr. Arulanandam, a Class X teacher in a government-aided school, said that students tend to clarify their doubts through calls or WhatsApp, which also does not require the presence of teachers in schools.

At a time when the Central and State governments are calling for social distancing, teachers must be allowed to work from homes, Mr. Arulanandam urged.

When contacted, Coimbatore Chief Educational Officer P. Usha said that all teachers, who go to schools or for examination duties, have been instructed about the COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Schools and examination centres are regularly disinfected and are equipped with soaps for handwashing. Any teacher feeling unwell will be permitted to take leave, Ms. Usha said.

Restrictions brought in at CMCH, court complex

24/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,COIMBATORE

One of the gates of the Combined Court Complex seen closed on Monday. S. Siva Saravanan S_SIVA SARAVANAN

Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) brought in regulations in the entry of patients and visitors from Monday.

Those coming to the hospital were checked at the gate. Emergency cases like accident victims, those requiring immediate medical attention and one attender per patient were permitted after checked by the staff.

“The Prime Minister and the Government already appealed that people should avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals to prevent the spread of COVID-19. People with symptoms of the viral infection are coming to the hospital seeking medical advice and testing. Hence, the administration decided to regulate entry of people after consulting with the District Collector,” said an official. Similar restrictions were also introduced on the combined court complex. Except the main gate, other gates were closed on Monday. This was to avoid unwanted entry of people. Judicial officers, court staff, advocates and litigants were permitted after screened by medical team at the main gate, said sources at the court administration.

Supermarkets witness rush

24/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,COIMBATORE

Thyagi Kumaran vegetable market in the city saw a huge rush on Monday. S. Siva Saravanan S_SIVA SARAVANAN

Indumathi, a regular customer at Thyagi Kumaran Market in the city, had to struggle to come out of the market on Monday evening after her purchases.

“Prices have doubled for all the vegetables,” she said. As the State government announced complete lockdown from 6 p.m., March 24, people rushed to super markets and vegetable markets in the city to buy their requirements.

Surya and his friends were also at the market. They are from West Bengal and working at a gold smithy in the city.

“We cannot go back home as there are no trains or buses. We usually buy vegetables at a shop nearby. Since we need to buy more vegetables, we came to the market,” he said.

“They have told us that we can keep the shops open till tomorrow evening. We do not know what will happen after that,” said an onion vendor at the market.

At the Pazhamudir Nilayam supermarket on Avinashi Road, customers waited in queues as only 50 people can be inside the market at any given time. There were repeated announcements asking customers to finish buying their needs soon so that others can come in. “We cannot run the air conditioner and cannot have a crowd inside. So we are allowing customers only in batches,” said the manager of the market.

“People are scared. We plan to keep all shops in the wholesale markets open till specific orders from the Government as vegetables are essential commodities. We will continue to receive vegetables from other States,” said M. Rajendran, president of the Thyagi Kumaran Market Vegetable Merchants Association.

Meanwhile, officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India inspected vegetable and fruit stalls to regulate the crowd as people rushed to them in large numbers for shopping ahead of the curfew. Food safety officials inspected stalls at Peelamedu and Arts College Road and advised management to avoid gathering of people as a precaution against possible spread of COVID-19.

While one shop was closed, people voluntarily stood in queue in another one. Food safety officials regulated the crowd pull at another shop at Ramanathapuram.

Efforts on to trace co-passengers of Coimbatore woman tested positive

24/03/2020, WILSON THOMAS ,COIMBATORE

A day after a 25-year-old woman, who returned from Spain, tested positive for COVID-19 in Coimbatore, Health Department was in the efforts to gather details of persons who travelled with here on flight and train.

Though a Health Department official claimed that they traced the train and flight on which she travelled, details were not shared. Health Department sought the help of Southern Railway to track the co-passengers in train on which she travelled from Bengaluru to Coimbatore.

“It is very important to trace the entire travel history of a person tested positive for COVID-19. Co-passengers in flight and train should be identified and they need to be kept under observation. If required, tests should be done.

These co-passengers will interact with several other people including family members and friends without knowing the fact that they travelled in close proximity with a person who contracted the virus,” said a public health expert who did not want to be named.

While her father and sister were in quarantine at hospital from Sunday, driver of a taxi in which she travelled from Coimbatore railway station to her house near Saibaba Colony, two of her friends, doctors and medical team, who attended to her while collecting swab sample and in quarantine, were under observation.

Woman refused to listen

Meanwhile, an official at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital claimed that the woman refused to listen to the advise of medical team when she came to the hospital with certain symptoms of the viral infection on March 19.

“The woman refused to remain in hospital quarantine and left for home despite knowing the fact that her friend in Spain contracted COVID-19. Then we contacted her father and advised the risks involved in staying at house or roaming freely. She later came to the hospital and medical team kept her in quarantine after lifting sample,” said the official.

Residents of the locality where the woman’s house is situated were in panic since Sunday evening after hearing about the confirmation of test result.

JIPMER shut down

24/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, PUDUCHERRY

Outpatient services at government general hospitals in Puducherry and JIPMER were shut down on Monday in the wake of increase in number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Commuters run to Koyambedu bus terminus to escape lockdown

Minister assures that more buses would be operated on Tuesday till 6 p.m.

24/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,CHENNAI

Passengers struggling to board a State-owned bus at Koyambedu in Chennai on Monday, to reach their destinations following the lockdown announcement for a week. PTIR Senthil Kumar

As the State government prepares for a lockdown from Tuesday evening, thousands of people are rushing to the Dr. MGR bus terminus in Koyambedu to return to their native places. With the train services fully cancelled from Sunday and not to resume till March 31, the only silver lining for the commuters was the bus transport which would also be stopped from Tuesday evening.

As a result the Koyambedu bus terminus is crowded with anxious commuters wanting to reach their hometown within the State. The sudden surge in commuter population is causing difficulties for the transport department authorities to operate long distance buses in a short span of time.

S. Janani, who stays in a women’s hostel, found it difficult to catch a direct bus to reach her native place in Pudukottai. She said it took more than an hour for her to board a bus at the Koyambedu bus terminus. She also rued that the private buses were charging exorbitant fares.

However, Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar, in a recorded message, said that adequate arrangements are being made to operate long distance buses to various parts of the State. To compensate for shortage of long distance buses, which were operated minimally on Monday, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses were operated to several destinations including Villupuram, Tindivanam and Tiruchi. More than 100 buses have already been operated for transporting the commuters, he said.

Requesting the commuters not to panic by rushing to the Koyambedu bus terminus, the Transport Minister assured the public that more buses would be operated on Tuesday till 6

All T.N. courts to function notwithstanding Section 144

Judicial work to be restricted to extremely urgent cases

24/03/2020, MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.,CHENNAI

The Madras High Court on Monday decided that its principal seat in Chennai, a Bench in Madurai as well as all trial courts across the State will continue to function despite the proposed imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure from 6 p.m. on Tuesday to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The decision was taken by the Administrative Committee, comprising Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justices Vineet Kothari, R. Subbiah, M. Sathyanarayanan, N. Kirubakaran, M.M. Sundresh and T.S. Sivagnanam.

It was, however, made clear that the proceedings shall be restricted to extremely urgent cases for the next three weeks.

According to a circular issued by Registrar General (R-G) C. Kumarappan, the High Court shall function with two Division Benches (one for hearing civil cases and the other for criminal cases) and five Single Benches (three on the criminal side and two on the civil side) from Tuesday, and they would take up cases that require immediate attention.

A request was made to the lawyers to exercise their discretion and restrict filing of cases as far as possible. They were also asked not to operate from the chambers allotted to them inside the High Court campus and desist from inviting their clients to the court campus unless and otherwise the court concerned had ordered for their appearance in connection with a case.

Impressing upon the need for curtailing the presence of the court staff too, the Administrative Committee directed the R-G to take a call on rotating the employees on need basis. “There shall be an exception with regard to the protocol and maintenance staff who are required to be present on account of the nature of the duties that they have to essentially perform,” it added.

Further, it was ordered that personal secretaries, drivers, residential assistants, office assistants and other personal staff attached to individual judges should make themselves available. A similar arrangement was ordered to be put in place in the Madurai Bench too.

As far as the functioning of subordinate courts in the State was concerned, the R-G issued a separate circular stating that they should also confine their functioning to extremely urgent cases and restrict the number of lawyers and litigants in the courts. The Principal District Judges across Tamil Nadu and the Chief Judge of Puducherry were instructed to ensure strict compliance.

“Courts may endeavour to grant general adjournments for a period of three weeks unless there is an extremely urgent matter to be taken up on the request of the counsel subject to the discretion of the court,” the circular read.

The Principal District Judges were also asked to ensure minimum presence of court staff. “All subordinate courts are put on guard that their activities are likely to be viewed and monitored through video conferencing by the High Court,” the circular concluded.

Staff disappointed

Several employees of the Madras High Court expressed disappointment over its decision to continue the functioning of all courts across the State despite a representation made by Tamil Nadu Advocate Association (TNAA), led by senior counsel S. Prabakaran, to suspend the court proceedings until the threat of COVID-19 abates.

Anxious, people swarm supermarkets and empty shelves

They are in no mood to a rely on assurance from authorities that shops selling milk, vegetables and groceries will be open

24/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

Till stocks last: People thronged supermarkets across Madurai on Monday to stock up on groceries, vegetables and snacks to last the curfew week. G. Moorthy

Following the announcement of Chief Minister on the state-wide promulgation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure till March 31, people thronged supermarkets across the city for stocking groceries and other essential commodities.

However, there is no need to indulge in panic buying urged the officials from the district administration. They said that all essential commodities will be available and shops selling milk, vegetables, provisions, meat and fish will remain open. The Corporation officials even made public announcements to this effect on Monday evening.

But within two hours of the announcement, long, serpentine queues had formed in front of a few supermarkets in the city. Triggered by COVID-19 fear, people hurried through department stores, carrying large trolleys and baskets.

Aruna, a resident of Narayanapuram, said she saw the announcement on television and immediately rushed to the nearest supermarket. “Though it is said grocery shops will be open, there is no clarity. Also, we don’t know how we can leave home during curfew,” she said. By evening, many people also rushed to stores to buy vegetables, especially those which had longer shelf life. “Following the observance of Janata curfew on Sunday, there was two-fold increase in prices of vegetables on Monday. Despite the high prices, people rushed after them. By, evening the entire stock was over and many returned home dejected,” said S. Selvaraj, owner of a vegetable shop, said.

P. Selvin, branch manager of Shri Kannan Departmental Store at Teppakulam, said that for the past few days there had been a rush at the shop. “But, within an hour of the announcement, around 150 people rushed in. And they were engaged in panicky large-scale shopping,” he said.

R.U. Sreekuttan filled his entire trolley with huge quantities of different types of pulses. “There is a fear that the prohibitory order can be extended. So we thought that we will hurry and buy as much as we can,” he said.

A branch manager of a leading supermarket chain in K.K. Nagar said that their sales on a day would usually hover around ₹2 lakh. “But, since Monday afternoon sales of around ₹2.5 lakh has been recorded. By evening, almost the entire stock of groceries, processed food products and snacks were gone,” he said.

HC Bench to restrict its functioning

24/03/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

Following guidelines issued by the Madras High Court Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday notified that the court will restrict it’s functioning from March 24 for three weeks, in the wake of the spread of COVID-19.

The notification said that in view of the emergent situation which has arisen on account of COVID-19 pandemic, it has become imperative for the Madurai Bench to adopt the guidelines issued by the Chief Justice at the Principal seat for the restricted functioning of the Principal seat and the Madurai Bench.

As per the notification, changes have been made to the sitting arrangement. Now, a Division Bench of Justices P.N. Prakash and S.S. Sundar will hear urgent motions and admissions in writ petitions, writ appeals and habeas corpus petitions.

After the Division Bench sitting, Justice P.N. Prakash will hear urgent motions and admissions in criminal original petitions (under section 482 of Cr.PC). Justice S.S. Sundar will hear all single bench appellate side matters.

Justice G. Jayachandran will hear criminal original petitions - bail and anticipatory bail petitions. Justice M. Dhandapani will hear urgent motions and admissions in all single bench writ petitions. Advocates have been requested to limit filing of cases as far as possible as the court will take up only extremely urgent matters, the notification said.

As virus toll rises to nine, States put in place tougher measures

Domestic flights grounded; first fatalities in West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh

24/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

As the death toll from COVID-19 touched nine on Monday, the government announced a slew of measures, including the suspension of all domestic flight operations until the end of March, to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Thirty States and Union Territories moved to a complete lockdown mode, and governments warned of strict punitive action against those who violate preventive measures.

The number of cases confirmed by the Union Health Ministry rose to 471. Data from the States put the total number of cases at 476, with 443 active cases.

West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh reported their first fatalities.

In view of the continuing spread of the virus, Parliament curtailed its session and adjourned sine die after passing the Finance Bill.

650 aircraft grounded

The Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered the shutting down of all domestic flight operations hours after an announcement was made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal suspending all incoming flights to the capital.

The new restriction will be effective from Tuesday midnight, a day after the ban on international flights came into effect.

A total of 650 aircraft operated by various Indian airlines will now be grounded across airports. The Centre's move comes after several States, including West Bengal and Bihar, requested a ban on flights.

Kerala and Maharashtra, which are facing the brunt of the crisis, with 95 and 97 cases respectively, announced more sweeping measures.

Following 28 new cases on Monday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said shops, offices and establishments barring essential services will be closed. Camps will be prepared for migrant labourers, who will be provided food and given medical examinations, as economic activities come to a complete halt in the State.

Announcing a State-wide curfew, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said: “People are not listening and they were stepping out as if the virus threat had diminished. However, that is not the case. I am forced to say this because there are still those who have not understood the seriousness of what we face.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again urged people to take the lockdown seriously.

Don’t lay off workers or cut salaries: Ministry

EPFO issues instructions on timely pension payments

24/03/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,NEW DELHI

The Union Labour and Employment Ministry has been reaching out to employers in the public and private sectors, asking them not to lay off workers or cut salaries due to the ongoing lockdown caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

In letters to the Secretaries of Central Ministries, State Chief Secretaries and employers’ associations sent over a few days up to Monday, the Ministry said employers were asked to “extend their cooperation by not terminating employees” in this “challenging situation”.

The Ministry said if any worker took leave, it should be “deemed to be on duty without any consequential deduction of wages”. The same should apply to those working in an establishment that is ordered to shut down, the letter said.

“The termination of employee from the job or reduction of wages in this scenario would further deepen the crises and will not only weaken the financial condition of the employee but also hamper their morale to fight the epidemic,” the letter stated.

The Ministry tweeted on Monday: “Seeing the Coronavirus pandemic, advisory has been issued by the Labour Ministry to all the employers of public/private establishments to coordinate by not terminating their employees, particularly casual or contractual workers from job or reduce their wages.”

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation said in a statement that it had instructed its field offices to generate and reconcile the pension amounts and details for March by Wednesday.

The Finance Ministry announced that contractual labour and outsourced staff working for the Central government would be treated as “on duty” and paid as usual with no penalty.

SC to go digital to maintain social distancing

Only urgent cases to be taken up via video app

24/03/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Monday decided to further restrict its functioning on account of the COVID-19 scare and resort to the digital mode to maintain social distancing and prevent spread of infection. The court premises would be completely shutdown.

In a meeting among judges, lawyers and the government through the Solicitor General held on Monday, it was decided that only extremely urgent cases would be taken up by a Bench(es) through a video app.

The Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to lift the limitation period for all cases across tribunals and courts in the country until further notice.

“To obviate difficulties and to ensure that lawyers/litigants do not have to come physically to file proceedings in respective courts/tribunals across the country, including this court, it is hereby ordered that a period of limitation in all proceedings, irrespective of the limitation prescribed under the general law or special laws, whether condonable or not, shall stand extended with effect from March 15 till further orders,” the apex court said after taking suo motu cognisance.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Bobde heard a few cases via videoconferencing on Monday. A giant screen, instead of the usual crowd of lawyers and litigants, greeted Chief Justice Bobde and his fellow judges as they entered the courtroom. The screen, placed in front of the judges’ dais, was connected to the Old Court Masters’ Room at another end of the Supreme Court premises. This room was fitted with microphones and screens for lawyers to present their cases to the CJI Bench via videoconferencing.

The meeting on Monday was held by Justices L. Nageswara Rao, Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose and attended by Supreme Court Bar Association president Dushyant Dave and secretary Ashok Arora, Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association secretary Joseph Aristotle S. and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

A circular issued by the Supreme Court late on Monday explained that the cases would be heard through an app called ‘Vidyo’.

It said a one-page synopsis of these cases can be sent to the apex court registry via an email id - mention.sc@sci.nic.in. The registry would then forward the mail to the judges on the slotted Bench. Once the case is approved for urgent hearing, it would be listed for the next day. The lawyer concerned would be mailed a video link and he or she can use it to present his case via videoconferencing at an allotted time. The link would lapse automatically by default shortly after the hearing.

If the case is not listed for hearing via videoconferencing, the advocate-on-record concerned would be provided with a telephone number by the registry. The lawyer is free to call the judge between 10.30 and 11 a.m. the following day and directly press his case for urgent hearing.

“Based on the progress made in the next few days, cases pertaining to bail also will be considered to be listed subsequently on priority of urgency basis,” Mr. Aristotle said.