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Tamil Nadu: Lockdown extended till May 31

Chennai/UNI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palansiwamion Sunday announced extension of lockdown to prevent the spread ofcoronavirus in the State till May 31.

While no new relaxations were announced in 12 districts--Chennai,Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Villuppura, Cuddalore,Ranipet, Tiruppattur, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalurand Perambalur--where the number of coronavirus positive caseswere high, he unveiled more relaxations in 25 other districts.

Apart from banning visits to tourist spots like Udhagamandalam,Kodaikanal and Yercaud, Mr Palaniswami said the lockdown wouldbe followed in toto in all the containment zones.

He also said all relaxations earlier allowed in areas comingunder the Chennai Police limit, except in containment zones,would continue.

Based on several review meetings held by him and on thesuggestions given by the district collectors and the expertmedical committee, the lockdown, which was scheduled to end at 0000 hrs today, will be extended till the midnight of May 31.

Palaniswami said all educational institutions, includingschools and colleges, theatres, bars, gyms, beach, touristspots, zoological parks, museums, swimming pools, sportsstadia, big auditoriums, conference halls will continue toremain shut till May 31.

He also said the ban on public darshan in places of worshipand all religious gatherings will continue.

He also said all modes of public transport including air andrail services, buses, inter-state bus services, Chennai Metro,taxi, auto, cyclerickshaws, hotels, resorts would not function.

He, however, announced new relaxations in 25 districts wherevehicles would be allowed to ply without TN e-Pass.

The 25 districts are Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Namakkal,Karur, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Theni,Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul,Pudukottai, Trichy, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagappattinam,Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Nilgiris.

Commercial establishments which have been closed during lockdowncould function only for maintenance purpose with minimum numberof workers.

The government also exempted answersheet valuation works forPlus Two examinations, while allowing plying of taxi and autos formedical purposes only in the 12 districts where public transport wasbanned.

He also said Under the MGNREGA scheme, instead of 50 per centworkers, henceforth 100 per cent workers could be involved.

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