TN extends lockdown till Aug 31, 75% staff allowed in pvt offices Ban On Cinemas, Bus, Malls, Gyms Will Continue

TN extends lockdown till Aug 31, 75% staff allowed in pvt offices

Ban On Cinemas, Bus, Malls, Gyms Will Continue

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.07.2020

As cases surge across the districts in Tamil Nadu, the state government on Thursday announced extension of the lockdown till August 31. Though the ban on public and private bus transport services, malls, gymnasiums and cinema halls will continue, all private offices and establishments have been allowed to function with 75% workforce.

Intense lockdown will continue to be enforced on all Sundays in August across the state. The state sought to take a measured approach in relaxing the curbs after collectors were keen on continuing the intense lockdown. According to sources, city corporation officials, too, batted for extending the lockdown to help bring the case count below 1,000.

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said, “The decision to continue the current lockdown is based on the views expressed by district collectors and public health expert besides consultations with senior ministers.” The state had considered resumption of bus services but district collectors raised concerns about the “possible surge” during the meeting with the chief minister on Wednesday. Virudhunagar collector R Kannan had cited the resumption of bus services as reason for the spurt in cases in his district.

On Thursday, health experts appreciated the government’s virus containment strategy and advised a more cautious approach, sources said.

LEAP OF FAITH:

Athletes practice at Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Thursday

NO RELAXATION IN CONTAINMENT ZONES

Schools, colleges & malls to remain shut

The districts, excluding Chennai, recorded 45,177 active cases until Thursday. “There is no backlog of samples for testing beyond 48 hours. It is felt there will be a steady decline in the number of cases in other parts of the state from now on. If the trend stabilises and the cases go down further, we will consider resuming bus services and opening hotels. Currently, the administration has proven that it can manage 7,000 cases a day, but beyond that number, it will be a strain on the health infrastructure,” said a senior government officer.

There will be no relaxation in containment zones. Industrial and commercial establishments are asked to encourage employees to work from home and adhere to standard operating procedures. Status quo will be maintained for rail and air transport and e-passes from district collectors/Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner for inter-district and inter-state movement.

Independence Day will be celebrated in the state, adhering to social distancing norms and wearing of masks.

The chief minister also announced activities that will continue to remain prohibited until further orders. “Based on the intensity of the virus spread, relaxations will be permitted in a phased manner,” the CM said.

Shopping malls, schools, colleges, training and coaching institutions are not permitted. 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, zoological parks, museums and similar places.