Tamil Nadu extends COVID lockdown till June 28. Here is the list of activities allowed

Tamil Nadu extends COVID lockdown till June 28. Here is the list of activities allowed

The public transport such as bus service will resume in Chennai and its three neighbouring districts.In Chennai, Metro service will also be resumed.

Published: 20th June 2021 07:56 PM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu state government has extended the ongoing lockdown till June 28 morning 6 am with some more relaxations starting Monday.

The public transport such as bus service will resume in Chennai and its three neighbouring districts.In Chennai, Metro service will also be resumed.

The new relaxations were given following the recommendations of the medical experts committee and authorities team.

To curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has extended the lockdown till June 28 morning 6 am. The districts are divided into three categories and relaxations vary in each category.

Category 1:

Coimbatore, Nilgris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts:

Existing Lockdown continues without any additional relaxations.

Category 2:

Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Kallakuruchi, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Ranipet, Sivaganga, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tiruppattur, Tiruvannamalai, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Viluppuram, Vellore and Virudhunagar districts.

Business hours of the individual shops including tea stalls: Morning 6 am to 7 pm.

Hotel, restaurants, bakeries and food supply e-commerce services: Morning 6 am to 9 pm.

Beauty parlours, saloons and spa, non-AC., will be permitted to function from morning 6 am to 7 pm.

Government departments for essential services will function with 100 percent capacity.

Non-essential departments will function with 50 percent of employees.

The sub-Registrar office will be functioning with full capacity.

All private companies are permitted to function with 33 percent of employees.

Export companies and the units which provide inputs to export companies will be permitted to function with 100 percent of employees.

Shops that sell electric and electronic goods and service centres, vehicle spare parts and service centres, and two-wheeler service centres, stationery shops, cell phone sales and service, construction material sales, footwear shops, opticals, Home finance companies, Non-banking finance companies and microfinance companies will be functioning from 9 am to 5 pm.

Admission and other administration works in educational institutions.

Functioning of sports academies and sports competitions in open places will be permitted from morning 6 am to 5 pm.

Cinema halls can carry out maintenance works once in a week with due permission from the respective Tahsildar.

Category 3:

Chennai, Chennalpattu, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts.

Additional relaxations along with the relaxations given to category 2 districts.

Roadside food stalls can sell foods, only parcel service, from 6 am to 7 pm.

Shootings for cinema and TV serials will be permitted with a maximum of 100 people after conducting the Corona test.

Post-productions works will be permitted.

The public transport within districts and inter districts, only the above four districts, will be permitted with the 50 per cent of passengers, only in non-AC busses.

Call taxi and auto service will be permitted without e-registration.

Metro rail service will be permitted to operate with 50 per cent of passenger capacity.

All construction works will be permitted.

All private companies will be permitted to function with 50 percent of employees.

Fancy stores, vessels stores, xerox shops, tailors, printers, photo and video studios, dry cleaners will be permitted to function from morning 9 am to 7 pm.

Potters and other handicraft workers will be permitted to function from 9 am to 7 pm.

Computer software and hardware sales and service from morning 9 am to 7 pm.

General to all districts:

After getting the e-pass from the respective districts, where the marriage will take place, only 50 persons can attend the marriage functions, except for Coimbatore, Nilgris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts.

Emergency travelling for Kodaikkanal, Nilgris, Yercud, Yelagiri and Kutralam will be permitted after getting the e-pass from the respective district collectors.

‘Non-veg’ forwards hit weekend turnout at vaccination camps in Tiruchy

‘Non-veg’ forwards hit weekend turnout at vaccination camps in Tiruchy

Instead of coming forward to take the vaccine, several people are seeking information on future vaccination dates so as to consume meat over the weekend and then take the jab.

Published: 21st June 2021 12:45 AM 

By Jayakumar Madala

Express News Service

TIRCUHY: Even as efforts are on to improve Covid-19 vaccination coverage, unverified messages shared on social media platforms, including WhatsApp, throw a spanner in the toil by officials in the district.

A case in point is the misconception regarding consumption of meat after taking the jab taking a hit on vaccination drives in the city and rural areas during weekends.

According to officials organising the inoculation camps during the weekends, instead of coming forward to take the vaccine, several people are seeking information on future vaccination dates so as to consume meat over the weekend and then take the jab.

For Guru, a mechanic at a private vehicle showroom in the city, a WhatsApp forward prevented him from taking vaccination over the past one month.

"I received a message through one of my friends that we should not consume meat until completion of two doses of the vaccine. Due to this, I have avoided going to the vaccination camps in our neighbourhood. Only today, a doctor informed me that such messages are fake and meat can be consumed like always. If I had known this before, I would have volunteered for my vaccine long ago. I just kept delaying it because it is difficult for me to avoid consuming meat for such a long time".

Doctors from the city opine they have been receiving several calls echoing similar concerns over the past few weeks.

Dr Aleem, former Vice Principal of KAPV Medical College, said, "I have received several calls in the last few weeks asking whether we can consume non-veg food after taking vaccination. There are no such official guidelines till date, and all these misinformation are spread through social media. No vaccine used in regular usage currently requires any form of dietary restrictions. Only thing that people should make sure of is to always follow a good, balanced diet."

With the hoax messages creating doubt in the minds of the public, the officials, who are trying to ensure usage of available vials, are now left with the unenviable task of convincing people to take their jab.

A supervisor of a vaccination camp in the city said, "This misconception is a major problem. We have been advising patients, and making sure they do not delay taking their vaccine. We are also requesting to spread the same information to their relatives, so more people would come forward for vaccination.”

ஒரே நாளில் பட்டா வழங்கிய கலெக்டர்

ஒரே நாளில் பட்டா வழங்கிய கலெக்டர்

Added : ஜூன் 20, 2021 23:44

தஞ்சாவூர்-வீடு கட்ட விடாமல் உறவினர்கள் தடுத்ததால், பெண் ஒருவர் கண்ணீருடன் அழுது 'வீடியோ' வெளியிட்ட நிலையில், கலெக்டர் 24 மணி நேரத்தில் அவரது வீட்டிற்கு சென்று வீட்டுமனைப் பட்டா வழங்கினார்.

தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டம், பேராவூரணி அடுத்த பட்டத்துாரணி கிராமத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் பாஸ்கரன் மனைவி மணியம்மை, 36; மூன்று குழந்தைகளுடன் குடிசை வீட்டில் வசித்து வருகிறார். பாஸ்கரன், மலேஷியாவில் உள்ள ஓட்டலில் தொழிலாளியாக பணிபுரிகிறார். இவர், தன் வீட்டை புதுப்பிக்க முடிவு செய்தார். ஆனால், உறவினர்கள் சிலர் அந்த இடம் தங்களுக்கு சொந்தமானது என, மணியம்மையிடம் தொடர்ந்து தகராறு செய்து வந்துள்ளனர்.

இது குறித்து, 'கலெக்டர்உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும்' என, மணியம்மை கண்ணீருடன் வீடியோ ஒன்றை வெளியிட்டார். இந்த வீடியோ பரவியநிலையில், கலெக்டர் தினேஷ் பொன்ராஜ் ஆலிெவர் உத்தரவுப்படி, பேராவூரணி தாசில்தார் ஜெயலட்சுமி விசாரணை நடத்தி, கிராம புஞ்சை தரிசு வீட்டு மனைப் பட்டா வழங்கலாம் என பரிந்துரைத்தார்.இதையடுத்து, 24 மணி நேரத்திற்குள் 2.5 சென்ட் வீட்டுமனை பட்டா தயார் செய்து, கலெக்டர் தினேஷ் பொன்ராஜ் ஆலிெவர்,நேற்று மணியம்மை வீட்டிற்கு சென்று வழங்கினார்.

Resident docs demand fee waiver

Resident docs demand fee waiver

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:21.06.2021

Resident doctors have asked the state government to waive their fees for 2020-21 and 2021-22, saying since the pandemic began, they have been dedicatedly providing Covid care with hardly any academic activity and clinical exposure in their chosen specialties.

The Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors has said that students pay more than Rs 1.1 lakh fees annually, one of the highest among government medical colleges in the country, and get a monthly stipend of Rs 45,000, one of the lowest.

“We have chosen our specialisation with so much passion and hard work. But since last year, Covid was the only disease we worked on. We have not been able to get any continuation in learning in our specialisation. We have not been able to upgrade our skills in the chosen subjects,” said the association president, Namratha C. “We have crossed a year with Covid. The government should by now have alternative arrangements to tackle Covid. It should delist medical colleges with PGs from being Covid centres instead of using us as cheap labour.”

The association plans to start a symbolic protest, including a Twitter campaign, from June 21. “We shall continue to protest and will resort to other modes of dissent until our voices are heard by the minister for health (medical) education,” the association said in a statement.

Licence aspirants demand more slots at RTOs

Licence aspirants demand more slots at RTOs

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:21.06.2021

Residents in the city have requested the state government to increase the number of slots available to get driving licences (DLs) and learners’ licences (LLRs) at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).

At present, RTOs are allowed to process only 30 DL and LLR applications a day while the demand is much higher. As a result, online slots in most RTOs in the city and its suburbs have been booked till the first week of July.

People at Tondiarpet (RTO code: TN 03), Kolathur (TN 05) or KK Nagar (TN 09) can apply for a fresh LLR only on July 10. All LLR slots for those at Virugambakkam (TN 10) and Tambaram (TN 11) are full till July 8.

For residents of Mandaveli (TN 06), Ambattur (TN 13) and Meenambakkam (TN 22), LLR slots were available only for the next one week and none available on Sunday.

The situation of DL applicants is more or less the same. Parivahan, the Union government site through which these bookings can be made, provides a special quota for DL applicants whose LLR validity is nearing completion. “But this option seldom works,” said K Senthil of Koyambedu.

A senior transport department official said there was no need to panic when it comes to renewal as the government has extended the validity of all motor-vehicle related documents till September 30.

The restrictions in the number of slots have been made to reduce infection spread as many RTO staff too have been affected in the second wave of Covid-19. Any change in this has been made by the government as it is a policy matter, he said, requesting anonymity.

Residents also complain about frequent technical glitches in the Parivahan site. Admitting such complaints, transport minister S Rajakannapan attributed it to mismanagement by the previous AIADMK government and has promised steps to rectify them soon. “Also, action will be taken against brokers and other illegal intermediaries,” he said.

A senior transport department official said there was no need to panic for renewal as the validity of all motor-vehicle documents is now September 30

TALK IT OUT A SHOT OF HOPE

TALK IT OUT A SHOT OF HOPE

Times of India 21.06.2021 

Chennai Edition 

Unhappy at work? Have honest conversations with your boss

To help readers cope with their anxieties in these stressful times, TOI has launched Talk it Out, a series under which our panel of expert counsellors will answer your mental health queries. This week’s advice comes from clinical psychologist Kamna Chhibber

I’ve been working for over eight years. I have a four year old. My understanding with my husband has deteriorated over time. A younger colleague used to make small talk with me. I used to ignore him, but since we had to work together, communication was inevitable. We both started enjoying each other’s company. During lockdown, I sent him some messages, which he shared with other colleagues and assassinated my character. Now people are trying to avoid me. I was told to cover my hair and body since it causes distractions. Some told me to leave the job saying it would only bring shame and disrespect. I’m mentally and emotionally shattered. Kindly help.

— Anonymous

A situation like this can be extremely distressing, particularly on account of the deceit you experienced and the judgment being passed upon you. Not having a support system in place makes it even more challenging. It can make you question your own self too and that would be particularly detrimental to your well-being. It is critical that you hold on to your sense of self and not allow this situation to lead to a scenario where you become doubtful about yourself and your intent. Maintaining clarity on what you were doing in that scenario is important. It would also be critical to gather some support from people around you. If you can confide in a friend or family member, it would help you manage your emotions.

I am 29 and work at a junior management position. I am an introvert and face anxiety in handling around 50-100 people. It is irksome as I don’t like meeting people so often. Also, I worked tremendously hard, happily taking over assignments which were beyond my job description. But now I am being threatened by my senior for not being able to complete some work. I have been facing acute mental stress due to my boss who gives unrealistic goals. He conveys his achievements to the higher management and blames the rest on the incapability of his subordinates. My health has deteriorated. I am more unhappy than I was while struggling for a job.

— Anonymous

When expectations don’t align with goals and targets at the workplace and there is a conflict in the values you hold and what is promoted within the system, it can create immense stress. Evaluating where the disconnect lies is important. It is also crucial to determine what aspects of your job can be modified to accommodate your personality. Each time you accomplish a good conversation, remind yourself that the anxiety you experience does not prevent you from being able to communicate, though it feels difficult to do so. Find a way to facilitate a conversation with your manager, where the interaction can be pegged as foundational to your professional growth. This will give you the opportunity to talk about the approach that best suits your temperament when it comes to being given feedback.

I struggle while making decisions. For hours together, I dwell on thinking what is right and what is not. This overthinking and procrastination makes my brain shut down. I keep to myself and hardly talk to anyone. What can I do to stop this?

— Anonymous

Procrastination can occur on account of multiple reasons: finding a task difficult, not being certain about your abilities, not having support systems which reinforce the goodness of decisions you make or negative thoughts which create selfdoubt. Difficult experiences from the past can also contribute towards an inability to make a decision. It is crucial you determine what you experience and then adopt a problem-solving approach. Take the support of a friend or family member so they can encourage you to make choices and reinforce having self-belief despite the outcomes. Recognise that things not working out at times is not reflective of a large character deficit or having a problematic approach to life in general. Concurrently it is essential to remind yourself that not each choice you would have made has gone wrong. Utilise positive self-talk to encourage yourself.

For more questions and answers, visit toi.in

You can also visit bit.ly/TOITalkItOut or scan this QR code to send in your concern.

WANT SOME ADVICE?

Sharing can help your recovery so write to us at talkitout@timesgroup. com with your question, name and place. But if you wish to stay anonymous, do indicate that in your email.

Jab, Covid test mandatory for travel to Dubai

Jab, Covid test mandatory for travel to Dubai

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy:21.06.2021

After Kuwait eased Covid-19 protocols for passengers from other countries a few days back, which will come into effect from August, UAE has introduced new entry protocols for passengers from India and two other countries. The move is expected to restore flight operations between Dubai and Trichy as it was before the second wave of Covid-19 broke out two months back. The supreme committee of crisis and disaster management of Dubai has announced new protocol for passengers which will come into effect from June 23.

The move will benefit people from Tamil Nadu and Kerala the most who had returned during the second wave and were awaiting flights operations to resume to get back. The urban primary health centre (UPHC) at Periya Milaguparai, close to the bus stand, has been designated exclusively to vaccinate people intending to make international travel. They will be vaccinated with Covishield and can get their second dose after 28 days at the UPHC. For others, the second dose is administered only after 84 days.