TN: New norms to control spike

Grocers, vegetable vendors, tea shop owners and other shop keepers would have to down shutters by 12 noon from Thursday as the new set of restrictions come into force with a view to controlling the spread of Covid-19, which is wreaking more havoc in its second wave.

Announcing a new timing for the sales of liquor, the government announced that TASMAC shops will remain open from 8 am to 12 noon, while bars, clubs, pubs, and other places of public gathering have been shut until further orders. In the new restrictions that will be in force till May 20, government and private offices will work with 50 per cent attendance and public transport, too, would run with 50 per cent occupancy.

Government employees with disabilities have been fully exempted from attending office during the period between May 6 and 20, an official order said.

Another GO made it clear that all Group A officers and heads of departments should attend office regularly while the other staff would be attending work on alternate days or as per the schedule drawn up depending on their requirement in office.

However, all officers and staff should be available for office work and accessible through electronic mode of communication and all government staff have been barred from leaving headquarters without permission. As far as eateries are concerned, the regulations restrict the timing on all days other than Sundays when a total lockdown will be observed.