Lockdown extended till March 31 in TN; no new relaxations

CHENNAI: Following the end of the current phase of lockdown, the State government on Sunday issued a Government Order (GO) to extend the lockdown by another month, till March 31.

The order was issued at a time when the model code of conduct (MCC) is in place ahead of the Assembly elections. No new relaxations were provided, unlike the previous months. The restriction on international air travel as laid by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the restrictions in containment zones will also continue.

The State government also announced that standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been issued for all the relaxations provided and the concerned district administrations must enforce the lockdown restrictions.

Following the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government imposed a lockdown on March 24, last year, and since then the lockdown has been in place. However, the government has been providing relaxations in subsequent phases, as and when directed by the Central government.

With at least 90 per cent of the restrictions being lifted, restrictions on primary and middle schools continue. Permission has not yet been given for reopening schools till Class 8. Usually, the lockdown announcements would be made after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami holds meetings with district Collectors and health experts towards the end of every month. However, this time owing to the Budget session and announcement of Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, the announcement was made without obtaining experts’ opinions.

A, there has been a marginal increase in COVID-19 positive cases reported in the past couple of days, the government has cautioned people over 65, those with co-morbidities, those who are pregnant, and children under the age of 10 to take all necessary and required precautions.

The restriction on international air travel as laid by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the restrictions in containment zones will also continue