2-week clampdown in TN from May 6: Shops to function only till noon

CHENNAI: In an attempt to control the spread of COVID, the State government on Monday announced an intensified lockdown for 15 days from May 6 to May 20.

According to the statement, only 50 per cent of employees would be allowed in both government and private offices during the period. “A maximum of 50 per cent passengers would only be allowed in passenger trains, Metro Rail, private, government buses and taxis,” according to the order. The new restrictions came hours after a meeting between CM-elect MK Stalin and government officials, on Monday morning.

In the new set of restrictions, groceries, fruits and vegetable shops functioning in commercial complexes would not be permitted to open while individual grocery shops, vegetable and fruit shops are permitted only till 12 noon. Similarly, only parcel service would be permitted in hotels and tea shops, where the timing has been restricted to 12 noon. For people who stay in hotels, food should be provided only in their rooms. Fish, meat and chicken shops will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays while on other days, they are permitted to be open only till 12 noon. The number of persons attending funerals has been reduced from 25 to 20.The permission given for indoor auditoriums for meetings with 50 per cent occupancy rate has been withdrawn. No gatherings, including educational programmes, would be allowed in any auditorium. Now, saloons and spas functioning in rural areas too are not permitted to function as is the case with such facilities in urban areas of the State.

Along with the new restrictions, the already existing restrictions on night curfew will continue.