Chennai: In an order to contain the spread of COVID-19, the government of Tamil Nadu has announced stricter lockdown measures in five municipal corporations – Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur – starting April 26.
The municipal corporations of Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore will enforce a total shutdown for four days starting 6 am on April 26 (Sunday) to 9 pm on April 29 (Wednesday). Similarly, the municipal corporations of Salem and Tirupur will enforce a total shutdown for three days starting 6 am on April 26 (Sunday) to 9 pm on April 28 (Tuesday).
A statewide lockdown is already in place till May 3 in Tamil Nadu following the announcement by Prime Minister Modi. This announcement of tighter restrictions in the five corporations means that apart from extremely essential services, there will be a blanket ban on all other work.
Similarly, small shops which sell vegetables and fruits will not be allowed to function in these areas between April 26 and April 28/29. Vegetables and fruits can be sold only on pushcarts. All other shops and supermarkets which were given permission to function earlier will not be allowed to function. Wholesale markets, however, can operate.
Restaurants functioning in these areas are allowed to deliver food at the homes of the customers and accept orders through phone calls. The government of Tamil Nadu had earlier permitted the public to go to restaurants and buy food parcels during the lockdown period.
Employees of IT companies in these areas must also work from home. Other government and private offices (including the Registrar’s office) will not be allowed to function during this period.
Here is a list of activities that are allowed in these five areas during the stricter lockdown period:
1. Medical services like hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, ambulances and hearse services will be allowed to function.
2. Essential service departments of the state government like the Secretariat, health and family welfare, police, revenue and disaster management, electricity, Aavin milk, local administrative bodies and water distribution.
3. Thirty three percent of employees in central government offices and banks can carry out the essential work.
4. Amma canteens and ATMs can function.
According to a statement released by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, the decision to tighten the lockdown norms in these five municipal corporations comes after recommendations by doctors and public health experts during a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on Friday. “Though the spread of the disease has come under control in rural areas, the chances of it spreading in cities is high…during the meeting it was clear that only if the restrictions are made more stringent, the spread of the disease can be brought under control in cities,” said the statement.
Till now Chennai has reported 400 COVID-19 cases, while Coimbatore has had 134 cases. Madurai has 52 cases, Salem 24 cases and Tirupur, 110 cases. The state has recorded 1,683 cases till now of which 752 people have been discharged after they recovered.
