Strict lockdown if people don’t follow protocols: Stalin

Strict lockdown if people don’t follow protocols: Stalin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:15.06.2021

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin has said that lockdown relaxations, which came into force on Monday (June

14) in 27 districts including Chennai, could be withdrawn any time if people do not follow Covid-19 norms.

If people show restraint, the state could move ahead and permit public transport and reopen schools and colleges, Stalin said. The chief minister is holding discussions with district collectors on Covid measures being undertaken across the state and to check on the possibility of resuming public transport.

In a video appeal released on Monday morning, Stalin thanked the people for following the norms in the past few weeks and helping the state bring down the Covid numbers. In fact, members of the public themselves had demanded extension of the lockdown by another week and it showed their confidence in the steps being taken by his government in containing the spread, he said.

"A few weeks ago, daily Covid cases had crossed 36,000 and experts were expecting it to touch 50,000. That is when we decided to impose full lockdown. Due to the efforts of the government and support of people, we are able to bring down the numbers below 15,000. We have only brought the corona spread under control and not eradicated it completely," Stalin said, while cautioning the public not to relax in adhering to Covid norms.

“We have to break the chain and prevent corona from spreading from one person to another. That necessitated imposing total lockdown and people too were very cooperative and I thank them for their support,” Stalin said.

The relaxations are now being introduced step by step to help the livelihood of the people. People should not crowd at tea shops and salons and should follow Covid norms at all times. Avoid going out unnecessarily, he said. “The priority of the people should be to ensure their own safety. And shopkeepers too should focus on following Covid norms both for themselves and the public. The state government has to care for the public health, while also ensuring that people’s livelihood is not affected,” Stalin said.

"Despite being aware of attracting criticism, the government has permitted reopening of Tasmac outlets. We do not want people to suffer by consuming illicit arrack and smuggled liquor,” Stalin said.