Kaanum Pongal: Can’t visit beaches

Kaanum Pongal: Can’t visit beaches

Chennai:01.01.2021

Tamil Nadu government has banned entry of people to Marina Beach and other beaches in in the state on Kaanum Pongal day on January 16 to prevent another wave of Covid-19.

Lakhs of people converge at the Marina during the festival with family and friends.

“The ban on visiting beaches is only on the Kaanum Pongal day,” chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Thursday after holding a review meeting with medical experts.

The government, however, has lifted time restriction in places of worship, and has given relief to film and television industries by doing away with the cap in number of people allowed at shooting venues. Standard operating procedures, however, would be strictly followed in all such places. TNN

Avoid social gatherings: CM

Workers can be engaged, without restriction, for both indoor and outdoor shootings. But they have to follow safety procedures,” the CM said.

The statement said 50% of the total capacity (of indoor facilities) or a maximum of 200 people would be allowed in community halls and sports complexes from January 1. Same is applicable to religious and political programmes in indoor facilities. Prior permission from collectors in districts and from police commissioners in Chennai city was mandatory for such programmes, the CM said.

Palaniswami has urged public to follow the guidelines to help the government bring down Covid-19 cases, which is already declining in the state. He urged people to avoid gatherings.

The CM said that e-registration for people entering Tamil Nadu from neighbouring states, restrictions on containment zones and the Central government’s ban on travel to and from certain countries were still in force.