TN intensifies lockdown, shops to be closed at 10 am

e-registration must from Monday; e-commerce services allowed from 2-6 pm

CHENNAI: To check the rapid spread of COVID across the State, the government on Friday, issued fresh orders to tighten the already existing lockdown. The orders would be implemented from Saturday.

“Grocery shops, vegetable, fruit shops, fish market and meat stores which functioned between 6 am and 12 pm will be permitted to function only from 6 am to 10 am. Tea shops and shops selling vegetables, fruits and flowers in footpaths will not be allowed from Saturday,” said Chief Minister MK Stalin, in the order.

To further intensify measures undertaken, Stalin held a meeting with legislative party leaders who unanimously agreed for stricter rules and based on the meeting, the CM held a discussion with top bureaucrats before further tightening norms.

According to the order, e-registration has been made mandatory from May 17. “People travelling for essential works such as marriages, death of close relatives, medical treatment and elderly care both inter and intra districts should get e-registration done,” said Stalin. Online ordering and delivery -e-commerce firms-services can operate between (6 am to 10 am and between 2 pm and 6 pm) to deliver essential commodities including groceries, fish and meat. There will be no restriction on fuel stations, ATMs and other essential services like delivery of milks, newspapers and so on.

The existing night curfew from 10 pm till 4 am and the complete Sunday lockdown will continue. The existing restrictions on travel, both public and private transports, will also continue. Stalin also directed Chennai Corporation and district administrations to ensure that fish and meat stalls are organised in various locations to avoid people crowding in a single area.