COVID 19: Tamil Nadu shifts to lockdown 5.0, instead of unlock 1.0
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Public transport will resume with reduced buses from June 1 barring in Chennai and adjoining Tiruvallur.
Tamil Nadu has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the country, and has observed a constant high rise in the number of cases, with Chennai being the state's epicenter.
Considering the same, the Tamil Nadu government has announced an extension of the lockdown for the state. The lockdown will continue till the end of June, but will have few relaxations.
"To prevent the spread of coronavirus, the curfew is being extended till June 30 under the State Disaster Management Act and as per the Union Home Ministry's notification," Palaniswami said in a statement.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced an extended lockdown on all religious places and inter-state bus transport and Metro and suburban train services. All hotels, excluding the COVID 19 facilities, will stay closed, along with all entertainment venues.
Public transport will resume with reduced buses from June 1 barring in Chennai and adjoining Tiruvallur.
Offices will be allowed to reopen, but with limited capacity. All employers will have to make sure that all norms of social distancing are followed, and a regular check on employees' health will have to be maintained. However, any offices in the containment zone will not be allowed to reopen.
The major relaxation, resumption of public transport, will be implemented from Monday onwards in six of the eight zones, formed by combining nearby districts, with a slew of guidelines in place.
All schools and colleges will remain shut.
There would be no need for people to apply for e-pass to travel within the zones, and all kinds of vehicles can ply in these select routes. However, e-pass will be compulsory for inter-zone and inter-state travel, Palaniswami said.
Hotels and restaurants can start dine-in services from June 8 in line with the Centre's guidelines, as against takeaways so far, but only 50 per cent of the seats should be occupied. So would be the case with tea shops.
Grocery and vegetable shops can function from 6 am to 8 pm.
All standalone shops can reopen. However, malls will remain shut till further notice.