Coronavirus: Tamil Nadu govt announces intense lockdown in Chennai, parts of neighbouring districts – Times of India

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday announced an intense lockdown in Chennai and parts of three neighbouring districts for 12 days, beginning on June 19. However, certain relaxations have been given.
The announcement comes after a cabinet meeting and CM’s meeting with health experts.
“Considering the spread of the virus and based on the recommendation of medical and health experts, an intense lockdown will be in force from 00.00 hours of June 19 and midnight of June 30,” Palaniswami said in a statement.
The intense lockdown will be in effect in Greater Chennai Police limits, Tiruvallur municipality, Gummidipoondi, Ponneri and Minjur town panchayats, and all panchayats of Poonamallee, Ekkadu and Cholavaram panchayat unions.
Chengalpet and Maraimalai Nagar municipalities, Nandivaram-Guduvanchery town panchayats and all panchayats of Kattankulathur panchayat unions in Chengalpet.
Parts of Greater Chennai Police limits falling in Kancheepuram district too would be under intense lockdown, the chief minister said.

Two full lockdowns

There will be full lockdowns on June 21 and 28 (Sundays), without any relaxation. (From 00.00 hours on June 20 to 06.00hours on June 22 and 00.00hours on June 27 to 06.00hours on June 29).
On these two days, except milk supply, hospitals, pharmacies, ambulance services, emergency and funeral hearse vans, no other activities will be permitted. Private vehicles would be allowed only for emergency medical needs, the chief minister said.
Relaxations
The chief minister announced some relaxations for certain essential services.
They include hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, ambulances and funeral hearse vans. Rental auto, taxi and private vehicles will not be allowed. However, they will be allowed for emergency medical services.
The state and central government offices will revert to 33% strength. However, essential services like secretariat, health and family welfare, police, revenue and disaster management, electricity, treasuries, Aavin, local bodies, water supply, labour, cooperation, food and consumer protection departments will remain open with adequate staff.
“The staff from containment zones need not come for work and they should get permission from the officials concerned in advance,” the CM said.
Banks are permitted to work with 33% strength on June 29 and 30. However, ATMs and related work and transport will go on as usual.
PDS outlets will remain open between 8am and 2pm. The godowns and transportation of goods from Food Corporation of India and TN civil supplies corporation, are permitted. The PDS outlets in containment zones will not function and the essential goods from the outlets will be supplied to the families at the doorstep.
Vegetable, grocery shops and fuel pumps are permitted between 6am and 2pm. Similarly, mobile vegetable and fruit shops are allowed between 6am and 2pm. “People are advised to get the goods within 2km of their residences, without availing their transportation facilities,” the CM said.
Takeaway services will alone be permitted in restaurants between 6am and 8pm. Teashops will not be permitted. Food aggregators are permitted, but the staff will have to have identity cards.
Services for old age people and old age homes, disabled people and orphanages are exempted.
Amma canteens and community kitchens run by the local bodies are permitted.
Voluntary organisations and others could work after getting necessary permission from the government officials.
Print and electronic media and courts are exempted.
Construction activities are permitted availing in-situ workers during these 12 days of intense lockdown.
There is no ban on freight transport and vehicles transporting essential commodities during this intense lockdown.
Industrial workers
Industrial workers in Greater Chennai Police limits will be permitted to stay and work in the units or adjoining places for 12 days, after RT-PCR tests on them. Similarly, employees from Greater Chennai Police limits, who move to other areas, will be subjected to RT-PCR tests and will be allowed to stay and work in the industries or neighbouring places.
They will not be allowed to travel every day. However, continuous processing industries and industries manufacturing essential commodities will be permitted to operate with adequate precautions.
E-pass
E-pass will be given to travel to other districts only for the purpose of marriage, medical and death, but with necessary documents.
The existing rules will remain for trains, flights and international flights and ships.
Containment zones
“No activities will be permitted in the containment zones. Surveillance will be intensified during intense lockdown. Local bodies will ensure supply of essential goods in containment areas and quarantined homes. Disinfectants will be sprayed twice a day in these areas,” Palaniswami said.
The services of control room (104) and emergency ambulance service (108) will be intensified further during intense lockdown. The supply of essential goods and emergency medical assistance will be coordinated through special control rooms.