‘Make sure lockdown rules are fully followed’

‘Make sure lockdown rules are fully followed’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24.05.2021

As Tamil Nadu geared up for a weeklong intense lockdown, chief minister M K Stalin held a virtual meeting with district collectors on Sunday and asked them to achieve the lockdown’s objective of controlling the Covid-19 spread in their respective districts.

Stalin told the collectors to ensure adequate supply of essentials like vegetables, fruits, milk, drinking water to all and healthy food for Covid patients undergoing treatment in hospitals during the lockdown. “Lockdown rules should be fully followed, but at the same time make sure transportation of agriculture products are not affected,” he told the collectors. Keep a check on the availability of oxygen and life-saving drugs in hospitals and make sure that they are optimally used, he told them urging to spread awareness on Covid prevention and ensure the Covid chain is broken. “Unless the chain is broken, Covid cannot be controlled. This lockdown is aimed at breaking the chain. Explain this to people, that the lockdown was only for a safer society,’’ he urged them.

Work with the goal of bringing down Covid in your respective districts, he told them.

“Tamil Nadu is facing twin challenges of financial crunch and health crisis at the same time. Hence it is imperative to put an end to Covid as early as possible,’’ he said.

Stalin asked the collectors to adopt a multi-pronged approach to make the lockdown yield the desired results. They should take on board local administration and agriculture department to ensure vegetables and fruits was available to every household.

Families Exit City On Bikes, Autos; Buses Packed

Thousands leave city with belongings

Families Exit City On Bikes, Autos; Buses Packed

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:24.05.2021

Thousands left Chennai for their native places on Sunday ahead of the extended total lockdown till May 31 in Tamil Nadu. With a limited number of buses operated, families of three or four were seen exiting the city on two-wheelers, while a few left in autorickshaws and minitrucks with their belongings.

According to official data from the transport department, more than 65,746 passengers left in 1,331 government buses from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) and Tambaram on Saturday and Sunday (until 6pm). In other parts of the state, around 5.94 lakh passengers travelled in 3,662 special buses during the weekend.

There was no mad rush at CMBT as seen ahead of the total lockdown in May 2020. However, almost all the buses ran packed. “But no passenger was allowed to travel standing,” said C Samayamoorthy, state transport secretary.

The exodus was smaller than last year as many left for their natives places on May 9, when restrictions increased as the state entered its14-day lockdown from May10-24.

The government’s decision to operate 1,500 buses from Chennai to other districts, however, has attracted criticism from various quarters as this could spread disease to rural areas and places where the infection rate is less compared to Chennai.

At Perungalathur bus stand, wait time for buses was long and private vans, cabs were seen offering ride-sharing services at exorbitant rates. “We have been waiting for more than two hours. All buses reaching Perungalathur are packed. We have no option but to pay what the van operators demand to reach our destinations before the curfew begins,” said Divakaran, who paid ₹1,500 to reach Madurai.

Mini-trucks and share autos were also in great demand as many left the city with all their belongings including furniture and electronics, anticipating the stay at their native place would get longer. Movement of such vans and three or four of a family riding a twowheeler was a common sight at the Chengalpet toll plaza, where the district police checked e-registration receipts.

In Coimbatore, Madurai and Salem, which act as transit points to tier-II cities, smaller towns and villages, passengers complained of shortage of buses. In Tirupur, people resorted to protests.

Speaking to reporters from Madurai, transport minister S Rajakanappan said, “Roughly 40% buses are being operated as there was not much crowd. However, additional buses  (400) are available in case demand increases late in the evening”. Despite his warning, private omni buses charged ₹1,500 or more for inter-district bus commute from TN.

TAKING ANY WAY OUT: A family of four leaving the city seen on a two-wheeler at the Chengalpet toll plaza on Sunday

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

Markets, stores may turn super spreaders

Markets Packed Before News Of Total Lockdown

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Even before the government announced an extension and complete week-long lockdown from Monday (May 24), many city residents thronged markets and other stores ignoring Covid-appropriate behaviour amid officials seemingly reluctant to clamp down on violators.

As news of the complete lockdown spread, residents once again rushed to nearby grocery stores to stock up for the week. “While a total lockdown seems to be the need of the hour, the announcement could have been done at least a week ago. This is what the previous government did last year and it is tiring to see the authorities not learning from experience,” said K Balagopal of Adyar.

Officials say public cooperation has been abysmal. On Saturday morning, there was crowding at several markets, including MGR Nagar market, Marundeeswarar market in Thiruvanmiyur, Zam Bazaar, Kothaval chavadi and Chintadripet among others. “We have been at work for several months, appealing to public to not crowd, but they do not seem to understand the gravity of the situation,” said a sub-inspector attached to the Velachery police station.

Chennai corporation regional deputy commissioner (South) Raja Gopal Sunkara tweeted a picture of crowding at Marundeeswarar market in the morning, which was cleared up within minutes after intervention from police and revenue authorities.

A senior official said most corporation staff have been directed towards Covid duty for most of 2020 and 2021. On Saturday evening, Covid-19 response teams were patrolling the city, advising the public to maintain physical distancing. “Please maintain social distancing. If one among you is carrying the virus, he can spread it to up to 40 people and then to another 400,” a police officer said over a public announcement system at a market near K K Nagar.

Shopkeepers say that they too are in a fix as they cannot possibly turn away a customer when their business has been hit hard. “Officials pin the responsibility on us and impose fines. If a market area is crowded, it is up to the authorities concerned to shift the same to open spaces. They did it last year. What is the hesitancy to follow the same this year,” asked a representative of Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association Several residents TOI spoke to said the move was detrimental to whatever the government achieved in the lockdown so far. “The scenes near my locality resembled chaos. Today’s effect will show only after two weeks. At least a week’s time should have been given with proper communication,” said S Manikandan of Madipakkam.

Telangana extends lockdown till May 30

Telangana extends lockdown till May 30

CM takes decision to this effect after interacting with his Council of Ministers over telephone

19/05/2021

Special Correspondent HYDERABAD

The State government has decided to extend the lockdown in the State till May 30.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao took a decision to this effect after interacting with his Council of Ministers over telephone for taking their views on extending the lockdown. Lockdown in the State with relaxation of four hours – from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. – had been imposed since May 12 as part of measures to check the spread of COVID-19 which has shown a steep surge in the second wave.

The State Cabinet in its meeting on May 11 had decided to impose lockdown for 10 days till May 22 and it was decided that a Cabinet meeting would be held on May 20 to take stock of the situation and finalise further course of action. The Chief Minister, however, interacted with the Cabinet Ministers on Tuesday and decided to extend the restrictions after eliciting their views.

The proposed meeting of the State Cabinet has been cancelled as the Ministers were busy monitoring the COVID containment measures and extension of relief to victims and their families. The Chief Minister has directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to issue orders extending the lockdown.

City divided into 348 grids; e-registration must for travel

City divided into 348 grids; e-registration must for travel

No Entry From One Grid To Another Without Pass

Selvaraj.a@timesgroup.com

Chennai:19.05.2021 

In a novel initiative to contain lockdown violations by motorists, the Greater Chennai Police have divided the city into 348 grids and allowed intergrid movement only if roadusers had valid e-registration.

A press release from commissioner of police Shankar Jiwal’s office clarified that an epass or e-register is mandatory for anyone stepping out of their houses after 10am or before 6am. Those who don’t possess these valid registrations will not be allowed to enter from one grid to another.

The move, however, caught commuters by surprise, resulting in chaos and traffic pileups at key junctions and thoroughfares on Tuesday morning.

Commissioner Jiwal came out with the detailed traffic curbs shortly after chief minister M K Stalin’s review meeting for top police officers.

As per the new plan, the 138 police stations in city limits have been divided into 348 grids called sectors. Cops barricaded roads and allowed movement only on a handful of routes so as to enable police to verify and allow only those who had e-registrations or and frontline workers out on essential purposes. Commuters without valid documents to justify their movement outside their respective sectors were disallowed from proceeding any further.

Due to the strict enforcement, places like Spencer’s signal witnessed a big pile-up of vehicles disallowed from using the stretch. After making lockdown violators spend about an hour in the hot sun, police let them go with a warning. Similar scenes were witnessed in traffic junctions at Nandanam, Teynampet, Thiruvanmiyur, Adyar, near Gandhi statue on Kamarajar Salai, Saidapet, Guindy, Ashok Nagar and few more places. City traffic police inspector V Praveen said, “we stopped the bikes and cars at key intersections and allowed them to drive one after another, making a beeline, so that we can verify their credentials.”

Another traffic police officer at Teynampet said, “we formed two lanes – one for cars and the other for bikes -- at Teynampet junction. It was a little chaotic initially, but later it became smooth.” However, arguments broke out when a few doctors and journalists out on duty too were caught up in the melee. Many took to the social media slamming city police for enforcing the curbs without adequate prior intimation or publicity.

Traffic pile up on main roads led motorists to take a detour and crowd narrow streets to reach their destinations.

On Monday, meanwhile, Chennai police slapped 2,855 cases on people for flouting lockdown norms.

FOLLOW THE RULES: People travelling without e-pass and proper travel documents during lockdown were stopped at Anna Salai by police personnel on Tuesday

New lockdown restrictions hard on bachelors, elderly

New lockdown restrictions hard on bachelors, elderly

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.05.2021

It’s the need of the hour, but the new restrictions disallowing general stores from functi0ning after 10am, has become tough on bachelors, elderly people staying by themselves and those working night shifts, among others.

While those with the financial and technical capacity to order provisions online are using it, public say it is prudent to order in advance as most stocks are running out while ordering online.

“Ever since the lockdown was announced, customers have been stocking up on instant noodles, readymade chappatis, snacks and similar dishes,” said S Baskar, a grocery store owner in Puzhuthivakkam. While during the first announcement, there was not much rush, after the second lockdown announcement, there has been a rush to stock up on such items.

Not all bachelors staying in the city can afford to buy food through delivery apps and elderly people too are facing difficulties and are reliant on neighbours. “We are a group of friends staying together and working odd jobs. Most days our breakfast and dinner used to be a cup of tea and biscuits at the nearby tea stall to save money. Now, that tea stalls are closed, we are finding it difficult,” said S Sivakumar of Velachery.

Since there has been no restrictions on domestic helps, elderly people who are vaccinated make use of them to avail provisions and other needs.

“I usually work late into night and by the time I wake up now, the shops are closed. While the government’s move is understandable, the authorities can consider allowing roadside vendors selling vegetables and fruits and push carts too for the benefit of bachelors and elderly persons,” R Ram Kumar, a resident of Adambakkam said.

Traders and shop owners too are facing the heat as they feel 6am to 10 am is a limited time period for them to run business. “Some of us have employers to pay for and with limited business, we find it difficult to pay them,” said a shopkeeper.

15-day lockdown to cost state nearly ₹2,900 crore

15-day lockdown to cost state nearly ₹2,900 crore

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai:16.05.2021

The 15-day complete lockdown, which was intensified from Saturday, will cost the state government at least ₹2,900 crore in revenue. It may have a partial impact on the government's expenditure in the event if the intensified lockdown is extended beyond May 24. To compensate the revenue loss, the government could effect a revision in liquor prices, which has not been hiked for the past one year, say financial experts.

Usually, Tasmac liquor shops and registration offices would have collectively contributed revenue of nearly ₹2,500 crore in 15 days. Of this, property registrations account for an average of ₹500 crore.

The loss of the registration department is based on the three months’ revenue through land registrations. Since February, property registrations brought in an income exceeding ₹1,000 crore every month. Losses through royalty from mines is estimated to be another ₹25 crore for a fortnight, according to official sources with the mines department.

Fuel stations are said to be witnessing a drop in sale of petrol and diesel by about 70% to 75%. The corresponding VAT and other service taxes loss for the state is at least ₹386 crore in 15 days. The losses on VAT and service taxes is for approximately 3,675 fuel stations of the 4,900 fuel stations functioning in Tamil Nadu, which records an average sale of about1.5 lakh litres of petrol and diesel per month.

City-based fuel station dealer Suresh said the volume of sale in petrol and diesel now was just 25% to 30% of the normal sale.

Former state chief internal auditor and ex-treasurer of the Tamil Nadu Government Employees Union A Mohan said about 60% of government revenue receipts is spent towards salary, pensions and those relating to government’s administrative expenditure. The remaining 40% goes to various welfare measures.

Noting that the major spending for the present government will be for public health and sanitation, he said, “The immediate partial impact will be on public health because there could be no major expenditure during this period in the other sectors.”

Tasmac is the only source of revenue post lockdown. “After lifting the lockdown, there could be an increase in liquor because that will not lead to a public outcry. If the government is going to increase taxes on fuel that will become an issue,” he said. Liquor prices were revised twice in 2020 including increasing15% on excise revenue.

ஊர் சுற்றுவோர் அதிகரிப்பால் போலீசார் சோதனை தீவிரம்

ஊர் சுற்றுவோர் அதிகரிப்பால் போலீசார் சோதனை தீவிரம்

Added : மே 14, 2021 02:02

சென்னை:ஊரடங்கு உத்தரவை மீறி வெட்டியாய் ஊர் சுற்றுபவர்கள் அதிகரித்து வருவதால் மாநிலம் முழுதும் போலீசார் வாகன சோதனையை தீவிரப்படுத்தியுள்ளனர்.

கொரோனா தொற்று பரவலைக் கட்டுப்படுத்த வரும் 24ம் தேதி வரை முழு ஊரடங்கு அமலில் உள்ளது. 'பொது மக்களிடம் கனிவுடன் நடந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். வெட்டியாய் ஊர் சுற்றுபவர்களின் வாகனங்கள் மீது வழக்குப்பதிவு செய்யலாம். வாகனங்களை பறிமுதல் செய்யக்கூடாது. அப்படி பறிமுதல் செய்ய நேரிட்டால் சில மணி நேரங்களில் விடுவித்து விட வேண்டும்' என சுற்றறிக்கை வாயிலாக போலீஸ் அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் போலீசாருக்கு டி.ஜி.பி. திரிபாதி உத்தரவிட்டார்.

இதனால் போலீசாரின் கைகள் கட்டப்பட்டு வெட்டியாய் ஊர் சுற்றுவோர் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரித்து வருவதால் மாநிலம் முழுதும் வாகன சோதனையை நேற்று மாலையில் இருந்து போலீசார் தீவிரப்படுத்தி உள்ளனர். சென்னையில் 200 இடங்களில் சட்டம் -- ஒழுங்கு போலீசாரும் 118 இடங்களில் போக்குவரத்து போலீசாரும் வாகன சோதனையில் ஈடுபட்டு உள்ளனர்.

மாநிலம் முழுதும் 'ட்ரோன்' வாயிலாகவும் கண்காணிப்பு நடக்கிறது.போலீஸ் அதிகாரிகள் கூறுகையில் 'கொரோனா தொற்று பரவல் அசுர வேகத்தில் இருப்பதை பொதுமக்கள் உணரும் வகையில் வாகன சோதனை உள்ளிட்ட நடவடிக்கைகளை தீவிரப்படுத்தி உள்ளோம்' என்றனர்.

When lockdown is wide open

When lockdown is wide open

FOUR DAYS AFTER TAMIL NADU SHUTS UP COMPLETELY, VIOLATIONS RAMPANT

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

14.05.2021 

Tamil Nadu is officially under a lockdown from May 10 to 24, but people are yet to treat it as such. Every day, especially the period till noon, is like a normal day busy roads full of traffic, people either shopping, haggling or talking in groups, with or without masks.

With neither voluntary adherence nor stern enforcement, the lockdown is failing miserably even as the daily Covid-19 caseload cross the 30,000 mark. Across the state, more than 91 lakh cases have been registered for various lockdown violations In Chennai, the usual shopping hubs recorded no dip in vehicular and pedestrian movements in the days following the lockdown announcement. Barring a few surprise vehicle checks in some spots, there have been no concerted efforts by law enforcers to prevent non-essential activities on the roads, around neighbourhoods and in markets. Places such as Flower Bazaar, Broadway and Purasawalkam continue to be packed with a large number of vehicles and autorickshaws plying without a semblance of protocol enforcement. Though private cabs and autorickshaws are not allowed to operate, they are the biggest violators, as they carry more number of passengers than permitted.

In districts such as Coimbatore, police are coming across illegal activities as well. On Wednesday, a team of personnel in khakhi swooped down on a farm at Kalikkanaickenpalayam near Thondamuthur and arrested 10 people who were holding rooster fights. Violations of a different kind were spotted in the city. Sree Kumaran Thanga Maligai, a leading jewellery outlet, was sealed for allowing customers on Thursday. A Amalraj, Coimbatore police commissioner and west zone inspector general (IG) said that initially they were just warning motorists, but from Friday violators would be photographed and penalty would be levied. Cases would be slapped on repeat violators, he said.

Among the more active law enforcers, the Madurai Corporation collected more than 1 crore in fines over the past four days for not wearing masks and not adhering to physical distancing. As a result, many people are now wearing masks to avoid being fined in public places. But the scene changes in residential localities, where masks are forgotten, youngsters hang out in groups and play games and people throng the neighbourhood grocery stores. On Thursday, a number of traders gathered at Villapuram Housing Board area for the weekly market. Officials from the Madurai corporation and police had to intervene and stop them from setting up shop.

In Trichy city, police registered around 1,600 cases since May 10 for violations ranging from roaming on the streets after noon citing unnecessary reasons to not wearing masks. At grocery stores and medical shops, no one bothers to queue up or practise physical distancing. Similar scenes are seen at the special counter set up for buying Covid-19 drugs by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation at the Government Physiotherapy College in Trichy.

With every passing day, the number of vehicles on the city roads is increasing, apparently emboldened by the absence of strict action by police. After instructions from top brass to not harass people, police seemed to have stepped back even in enforcement as well. They are adopting a milder approach in places. On Thursday, several motorists in Pollachi were stopped by police and made to take a pledge that they will not step out unnecessarily.

In Chennai, the rising number of cases and violations on the ground have made police take notice and warn that from Friday onwards strict action would be taken by deploying personnel across the city.

Penalise violators, but be polite, DGP tells cops

Penalise violators, but be polite, DGP tells cops

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.05.2021

With the state entering complete two-week lockdown from Monday, director general of police J K Tripathy has asked police personnel not to harass people while enforcing restrictions but to penalise them politely.

In a circular issued about enforcing lockdown rules, the DGP instructed police to not seize vehicles of violators but to take a photograph of their vehicle and penalize them. In unavoidable situations, even if the vehicle is seized, it should be released within a couple of hours, the circular said.

“Do not harass people. While enforcing restrictions, do not get into arguments or take the law into your own hands,” Tripathy said in the circular. He appealed to the law enforcers to show concern for roadside vendors and request that they close the business after permitted hours (12 noon).

He urged that public address systems be put to use to make announcements in crowded market areas rather than the personnel mingling with the crowd themselves. He added that police should ensure they follow all safety protocol strictly. “Deploy drones to monitor the crowding, and do not resort to lathicharge to disperse crowds.”

“You must ensure that vehicles carrying essentials such as oxygen cylinders and pharmaceutical items from other districts and within the cities do not face any difficulty,” Tripathy insisted. He advised that arrests be avoided unless in important cases, to not allow the general public inside police stations and to receive petitions outside the stations. He also asked not to deploy policewomen and policemen above the age of 50 years for lockdown enforcement.

Govt: Enforce lockdown rules strictly

Govt: Enforce lockdown rules strictly

TN Orders Checks To Prevent O2 Wastage

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.05.2021 

The Tamil Nadu cabinet headed by chief minister M K Stalin in its first meeting on Sunday stressed on strict Covid-19 containment measures to rein in the virus.

With increasing number of Covid fatalities and a high test positivity rate, the new government was forced to impose a state-wide lockdown for 15 days starting from Monday. The meeting’s focus centred around the measures to be implemented to bring the pandemic under control.

Chief minister Stalin advised his cabinet colleagues to station themselves in the districts allotted to them and ensure proper implementation of Covid-related work during lockdown.

The cabinet meeting resolved that unless the total lockdown is strictly implemented, the state would not succeed in containing the spread of the raging pandemic.

All ministers have been directed to ensure that patients arriving at district hospitals are treated without delay. Besides ensuring healthcare facilities, the cabinet resolved to provide adequate food to healthcare workers and patients.

Noting that oxygen is being made available with great difficulty to government and private hospitals, the cabinet resolved to ensure proper supply of oxygen to all hospitals and directed ministers and officials to prevent wastage of oxygen at any cost.

On Remdesivir, the cabinet said that authorities should prevent its sale in the black market.

The cabinet also appealed to all people in eligible age groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible. To ensure this, awareness should be created among people about vaccination in all districts.

The cabinet meeting also highlighted the need for coordination among various departments, including healthcare, revenue, police, urban and rural developments, to ensure proper implementation of all Covid-related measures. The chief minister directed all the ministers to ensure such a coordination among various departments and conduct review meetings for proper implementation of the government initiatives, according to a state government release.

ON THE JOB: Health officials screen a person at Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in Chennai on Sunday, a day ahead of the lockdown

TN shuts for 15 days as cases spike, hosps run out of beds

TN shuts for 15 days as cases spike, hosps run out of beds

All Shops To Remain Open Till 9pm Today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.05.2021

As Covid-19 cases crossed 27,000 a day and an overstretched healthcare sector struggled to handle the growing number of patients, the state government on Saturday announced a complete lockdown across Tamil Nadu from 4am on May 10 to 4am on May 24. Chief minister M K Stalin said that more than 23 districts in TN had reported a positivity rate of more than10%.

On Saturday, nearly 86% of oxygen beds and 87% of ICU beds across the state were occupied. In high incidence districts such as Chennai, 99% of beds in ICUs and 96% oxygen beds were full. In districts like Dharmapuri, Tirupur, Tiruvallur and Ranipet there were no ICU beds.

Puducherry, too, on Saturday imposed a two-week lockdown starting May 10. Several states, including Kerala, Karnataka and New Delhi, have announced varying degrees of lockdown.

“In view of the impending total lockdown, the government has allowed all shops and establishments to operate for two days, May 8 and 9 (Saturday and Sunday), between 6am and 9pm,” the CM said.

IN TUNE: RPF organised a flash mob at MGR Central on Saturday as part of a Covid-19 awareness drive

Lockdown: Carry IDs if commuting to work

The decision has been taken following the views expressed by collectors, medical experts and recommendations of the Union government. The number of active cases in the state has crossed 1.35 lakh — a sharp increase compared to the same period in March. All government offices, except essential departments like secretariat, medical and family welfare, revenue, police, electricity and drinking water supply, will remain closed. Central government offices, autonomous/subordinate offices and public corporations will also remain closed. All private offices, IT and ITES establishments too will remain shut and so will industries other than exempted ones.

In a statement, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam said the total lockdown would be of great help to contain the spread. “I welcome the government’s decision to continue Amma canteens and shut Tasmac outlets,” he said. The AIADMK leader said the government could increase mini clinics and allow them to function 24 hours by engaging temporary doctors to reduce the burden on government hospitals. He also urged the state to extend incentives to health workers. PMK leader S Anbumani Ramadoss suggested the government could waive off power bills for two months. AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran demanded that the government provide free food thrice a day in Amma canteens.

The permitted activities during the lockdown include supply of milk, newspapers, courier service, hospitals, medical labs, pharmacies, ambulance, hearse and allied medical activities, goods vehicles, vehicles carrying agricultural produce, oxygen and fuel. Shops selling fertilisers, pesticides, seeds and fodder outlets will be allowed to function between 6am and noon. Takeaway service will be permitted in restaurants, hotels, bakeries and mess between 6am and 10am, noon and 3pm and 6pm and 9pm. Ecommerce activities will be allowed only during this permitted time. Roadside eateries cannot open for business.

Pavement vendors selling vegetables and fruits will be permitted till noon. PDS outlets will function between 8am and noon. Volunteers and caregivers attending to people with special needs and elderly citizens will be allowed to travel with ID cards and permission letters issued by employers. Judiciary and courts, ongoing construction activities and media will be allowed. The government has already permitted continuous process industries and industries manufacturing essential commodities. The staff/ workers will be allowed to travel either in company vehicles or own vehicles with display of ID cards. There is no bar on conducting wedding ceremonies with a maximum of 50 people. For funeral and performance of last rites, there is a cap of 20 people.

Maintenance and other critical IT infrastructure needed for medical, financial, transport and other critical services will be permitted. Banks, ATMs, and insurance services will be allowed with 50% workforce.