TN announces week-long lockdown without relaxations from Monday
Shops will remain open from 6 am to 9 pm on Sunday for people to replenish supplies
The State government on Saturday announced a complete lockdown without any relaxation for a week from Monday, May 24, to control the spread of COVID. Only pharmacies, native medicine stores, veterinary pharmacies and shops selling milk and water and distribution of newspapers would be allowed.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, who held discussions with medical experts and leaders of all legislature parties at the Secretariat on Saturday, announced that a complete lockdown without any relaxation would come to force from Monday (May 24). All grocery stores (vegetables and provisions) and meat stalls, which were allowed to open from 6am to 10am daily so far, would remain closed from Monday.
Shops will be open for two days (till 9pm on Saturday, May 22) and 6am to 9pm on Sunday (May 23) to help people replenish their supplies. Likewise, operation of private and govt mofussil buses have been permitted on Saturday and Sunday to help people travelling out of station. Only essential (service) departments would function at the Secretariat and districts. The government has advised employees of private establishments, banks, insurance companies,
IT and ITES to work from home. E-commerce services (only essential products) would be allowed from 8am to 6pm. Takeaway services would be allowed in restaurants from 6am to 10am, 12noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm. Appbased food delivery service providers like Swiggy and Zomato would also be allowed to operate during the aforesaid time. Banks will be allowed to function with one-third staff during the total lockdown period.
Inter-district transport would be permitted with e-registration only for genuine medical reasons and deaths. E-registration would not be necessary for travel within the districts for genuine medical reasons. Continuous process industries and industries manufacturing essential commodities and medical equipment would be allowed to function in accordance with guidelines.
People consider lockdown as holiday: CM
Earlier at the all-party meeting, Stalin said, “Some people are roaming about as if the lockdown were a holiday. Complete lockdown has been enforced for saving lives. It is worrisome that people have not realised it.” He added that doctors, nurses and frontline workers, who have been under stress, should be considered as well.