New Delhi (NVI): Amid the spike in coronavirus cases, Tamil Nadu has extended the lockdown across the state till August 31 midnight, with certain relaxations. However, a complete lockdown will be observed on all Sundays until August 31.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said lockdown has been extended with fresh relaxations both for areas under Chennai City Police and in other parts of the state.
As for areas under the Chennai City Police jurisdiction, the Chief Minister said groceries and provision stores which were earlier allowed to operate between 6am and 6pm, would be allowed to operate till 7pm. The government has extended by an hour, till 7 pm, the timing of all shops and marketplaces
Furthermore, E-commerce will be allowed to ship both essential and non-essential goods. Restaurants and tea shops would be allowed to take in customers up to 50 percent of their seating capacity. Theatres, gyms, swimming pools and parks will remain closed across the state.
Night curfew will remain in place from 9 pm onward. Schools and colleges will remain closed until further notice.
In addition to this, the Metro and electric train services will remain closed. The ban on international flights will also remain, except for operations approved by the central government. The ban of buses will also continue. The existing operations of the Railways will continue. Theatres, gyms, swimming pools and parks will remain closed across the state.
Tamil Nadu is currently the second-most coronavirus-affected state in the country after Maharashtra, with 57,073 cases currently active out of the total confirmed cases of 2,27,688.
-CHK
