State may extend lockdown till May 31 with more easing

State may extend lockdown till May 31 with more easing

Julie Mariappan TNN

Chennai: 15.05.2020

With the state continuing to see a rise in Covid-19 cases, the Tamil Nadu government is likely to announce a lockdown extension up to May 31, but with some more easing of norms. On Thursday, the state government-appointed health expert team recommended to chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami a phased easing of the lockdown. The experts strongly recommended ramping up testing to better map the virus spread.

Sources said the government would not allow public transport, gyms, malls and theatres to operate during the extended lockdown period. “Industries might work with some more concessions. The state is considering permitting government offices to work with 50% strength on alternate days and a six-day-a-week work schedule,” said a source. The state will take a call on Saturday factoring in local aspects and recent spike in cases. The CM had already requested the Centre not to resume regular flights and train services until May 31.

On Thursday, TN issued guidelines making testing mandatory for all those coming from other states. This comes close on the heels of arrival of special trains from Delhi on Thursday and Saturday. An order issued by chief secretary K Shanmugam said that among those coming from hotspots like Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra, people testing positive would be taken to hospitals, while those testing negative will remain in institutional quarantine for seven days.

‘People should not panic but focus on control measures to contain spread’

The health expert team was in a threehour-long session with the CM at the Secretariat during which they recommended increased testing. “Lockdown is going toenter the next phase.Therecan only be a gradual easing. Otherwise, there will be a rise in infection,” National Institute of Epidemiology’s Prabhdeep Kaur told reporters.

The state identifies 20 contacts from a positive case and evolves strategies. Kaur saidtherewouldbe a rise andfallofcasesin a pandemic and effective strategies should be evolved to contain the infection and prevent spread to other districts. “When there is a wave, people should not panic. We should focus on control measures,” she said. The experts advocated community participation in containing the spread. Social distancing norms should be adhered to at workplaces.

In an order the government clarified that passengers, who are due to attend the funeral and rituals associated with death of immediate family members, alone be released for home quarantine after testing at the arrival point, provided the mortal remains are received in the same aircraft/vehicle. The other categories like individuals in need of medical attention, pregnant women and those above 75 years and requiring assistance, need to be taken to the quarantine centre till Covid-19 results are available.