TN scraps e-pass, allows buses within dists, opens up shrines Edu Institutes, Cinemas Will Remain Shut

TN scraps e-pass, allows buses within dists, opens up shrines

Edu Institutes, Cinemas Will Remain Shut

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.08.2020

In line with the Centre’s unlock 4.0 norms, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced that from September 1 e-passes would not be needed for travel within the state, buses could ply within districts, and malls, hotels, resorts, clubs and places of worship were free to open. The intense lockdown on Sundays, which had little meaning with people crowding market places on Saturday, too will go.

Schools, colleges and cinema theatres, including multiplexes in malls, will, however, remain closed.

In Chennai, metro rail services will resume operations from September 7, while suburban train services will remain shut. Passengers arriving by domestic and international flights, as well as those entering the state in private vehicles and trains would still need to apply for e-pass, which will be sanctioned to all automatically.

Parks and sports stadia will be open for undertaking training, but members of the public will not be allowed inside stadiums. Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said the relaxations were to boost overall economic activity and growth and had been decided after discussions with officials and health experts.

While Section 144 that prevents unlawful assembly of more than five persons will remain in force, no relaxations of any type will be applicable for containment zones.

No public meetings or religious gatherings or processions will be permitted. All industries as well as IT/ITeS sector can have their operations with 100% employees.

State government offices to function with all employees

But the IT sector is being advised to encourage WFH for most, barring the critical areas of operations. State government offices will function with 100% employees from September 1, while skill development centres and ITIs will function from September 21.

People visiting hill stations such as Nilgris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud should apply for e-pass from the respective district collector.

Film shootings are permitted to resume, but with a maximum of 75 people. Members of the public will not be allowed to be present at shooting spots. “It has come as a breather for an industry bogged down by inaction for five and half months. While challenges remain, production houses will resume shooting in a couple of days,” said S R Prabhu, vice president, Tamil Film Active Producers Association said.

“Operation of intra-district bus transport will help. But, we urge the government to considering early resumption of suburban train services, since MSME workers will have to shell out more for travel by buses from other parts of same districts. If metro rail is for white-collar jobs, suburban trains are for blue-collared workers and they are important if industrial units have to run with 100% employees,” said M Balachandran, president, AIEMA.

“It will only aid then economy, which has taken a hit,” Hari K Thiagarajan, Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu told TOI. “We are relieved. We are in a state of readiness to open the mall in a couple of days,” Mukrim Habeeb, director, Grand Marina Mall on OMR.

People visiting hill stations such as Nilgris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud should apply for e-pass from the respective district collector