Tamil Nadu extends lockdown till May 31, some relaxations in 25 districts

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday announced lockdown extension in the state till May 31, with certain relaxations extended to 25 districts where Covid-19 cases are nil or less. The present lockdown restrictions, however, will continue to remain in containment zones in the state.

The government has banned movement of tourists to hill stations like the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud, in the backdrop of media reports about tourist movement. In 12 districts, including Chennai, taxis and autos are exempted from operating for medical purposes. They should get e-passes.

Palaniswami said the relaxations are extended to 25 districts, including, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Namakkal, Karur, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, Pudukkottai, Trichy, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore and the Nilgiris.

The movement of transport within these districts would not require e-pass. The public are requested to use transport for permitted activities and essential work. However, e-pass will be in vogue for inter-district movement.

“The government and private buses that are granted special permission to operate for government work and private industries can have a maximum of 20 passengers while vans can have seven passengers, Innova-like vehicles (SUVs) can have three passengers, and small cars two passengers, besides drivers,” the chief minister said.

Hired vehicles and taxis could be operated in these districts for work-related purposes, especially for essential services such as agriculture, business and medicine. The public should avoid stepping out of their homes unnecessarily.

In general, the proportion of people employed in MGNREGS shall be increased from 50% to 100%, Palaniswami said.

The chief minister also announced concessions to the industries in urban areas like corporations, municipalities and town panchayats, excluding Greater Chennai Police limits. “Permission is granted for industries with less than 100 workers to operate with 100% strength, while companies with more than 100 workers can work with 50% strength or a maximum of 100 workers,” the CM said.

Private industries and business establishments can operate their units with minimum workforce for essential maintenance.

Exemption is granted for evaluation of Class XII board exam answer sheets.

Exemption is also granted to practise with individual trainer for national and international sports meet, but after getting clearances from the respective district collectors or the Greater Chennai police commissioner (in case of those in Chennai).