After schools, TN closes movie houses near borders

CHENNAI: In view of the novel Covid 19 virus outbreak worldwide and detection of several positive cases in neighbouring states, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday closed movie theatres and shopping malls for the month in taluks in 16 districts bordering three states.

This comes a day after pre-primary schools were ordered shut in seven districts bordering Kerala and Karnataka, states seriously affected by the Covid 19 virus.

The government directives does not order closure of such establishments in other districts.

The closure will be in force in Theni, Kanyakumari, Thirupur, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet, Erode, Dindigul, Dharmapuri and Virudhunagar districts.

These are districts which have borders with either Kerala, Karnataka, or Andhra Pradesh.

“Steps will be taken to ensure daily, thorough sanitation of theatres, malls, pubs, restaurants, and places of worship in all other districts in Tamil Nadu,” a press statement from Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami read.

Palaniswami, who ordered the closure in a six-page statement, claimed however that the state has just a single case of confirmed Covid 19.

“The single patient who tested positive last week has not just recovered but his samples were rendered negative in further diagnosis.”

ITiruppur Subramaniam, president of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association, welcomed the decision, but stressed that the order has been misinterpreted.

“Only the theatres in the border taluks of the 16 districts have been ordered to be closed. It will amount to a maximum of nine to ten theatres,” he said.

“For now, this won’t have any impact on trade and releases.

“However, if the need arises, there might be more closures. We are ready to tackle it and will follow the government’s instructions in this matter. Controlling the spread must be our top priority,” he says.

Health Minister C. Vijayabhaskar had said on Saturday night that the state has tested 78 samples so far, and all results are negative except for one. He asked people to trust the “robust” health care system in the state.

Palaniswami appealed to people to avoid travelling to other states in the country at least for the next 15 days.

“People should avoid travelling to neighbouring states and crowded places within the state for the next 15 days. They also ensure that children and elderly do not travel to places that are crowded.”

He also appealed to people against gathering in huge numbers and to practise good self-hygiene.