Tamil Nadu lockdown extended with some relaxations; additional easing of curbs announced for Chennai

​​​​CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced the extension of lockdown for another week ending at 6 am on June 14 and eased lockdown curbs in most of the districts. The government announced an additional easing of curbs in Chennai.

An official release said that already permitted activities would continue in all the districts.

Though the Covid-19 spread has come under control in several districts, 11 districts -- Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattanam and Mayiladuthurai -- report a high number of cases. However, certain relaxations are extended in these districts too to meet the essential requirements of the people, chief minister M K Stalin said in a statement.

Standalone grocery, vegetable, meat and fish stalls will be allowed between 6 am and 5 pm in all districts.

The sale of vegetables, fruits and flowers on the roadside footpath will be permitted between 6 am and 5 pm.

Wholesale fish markets will be allowed and the district administration should look for alternate arrangements to set up markets in open spaces in one or more places to ensure social distancing in the markets.

Slaughterhouses will be allowed for wholesale business.

All government offices will be permitted with 30% workforce.

Sub-treasury offices will function but will issue 50 tokens a day for registrations.

Match factories will be permitted with 50% workforce and adhering to standard operating procedures.

Considering the declining trend in the rest of the state, including Chennai, the government has announced additional relaxations.

They include the services of private security agencies and housekeeping agencies with e-registration.

Electricians, plumbers, motor technicians, carpenters will be permitted between 6pm and 5pm with e-registration.

Shops that sell electrical goods, bulbs, cables, switches and wires, bicycle and two-wheeler repairs, hardware shops, vehicle spare part shops, books and stationery shops, vehicle repair centres of the vehicle distributors will be allowed between 6 am and 5 pm.

Rental cars, taxis and auto-rickshaws will be allowed with e-registration. Three passengers will be allowed in rental taxis, while two passengers in auto rickshaws.

E-pass is required from the district collectors to travel to The Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri and Courtallam.

Export units in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Salem, Karur, Erode, Namakkal, Trichy and Madurai districts and vendor units providing inputs, which have export commitments or orders shall function with 10% workforce following standard operating procedures.

Sales of vegetables and fruits in mobile vehicles will continue.

“Public should go to nearby shops by walking and avoid taking motorbikes or cars,” chief minister MK Stalin said. People should also avoid stepping out of houses and meetings, he added.