Chennai, suburbs under 12-day intense lockdown from 19^th

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:16.06.2020

The relentless surge in Covid-19 cases forced the Tamil Nadu government on Monday to announce yet another intense lockdown in Chennai and adjoining parts of three neighbouring districts for 12 days starting June 19. The relaxations, however, will be confined to vegetable and grocery shops and fuel pumps. But people have been advised not to use vehicles and to get their essentials within 2km of their residences.

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the lockdown after a meeting with health experts and later with cabinet members. “Considering the spread of the virus and based on consultations with medical and health experts and cabinet members, we have decided to enforce an intense lockdown from June 19 midnight until June 30 midnight,” the CM said in a statement. He announced ₹1,000 support to all ration card holders in areas under intense lockdown and to the members of unorganised welfare boards and other welfare boards.

There will be full lockdown on June 21 and 28 (Sundays) with no relaxation. Barring milk supply, hospitals, pharmacies, ambulance services, emergency and funeral hearse vans, no other activity will be permitted on Sundays. Private vehicles will be allowed only for emergency medical needs. With Chennai’s Covid cases crossing 33,000 and that of Tamil Nadu surging past 46,000, a worried government took the lockdown decision. Facing flak from the opposition, the government on Friday brought back J Radhakrishnan as health secretary.

On Monday, the cabinet unanimously agreed to the intense lockdown, requesting the administration to give time to people to stock up and to prevent panic buying. “The reason cited was the pace of the virus spread in Chennai and adjoining districts (Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet). This lockdown will give some space for the administration to focus on the infected streets, besides breaking the cycle,” chief secretary K Shanmugam said.

A healthcare worker at Pudupet in Chennai on Monday