The Greater Chennai Corporation on Friday ordered the closure of nine market areas in the city till August 9 in a bid to curb the recent Covid-19 spike after identifying the locations as places where people gather in large numbers.
Market areas of T Nagar, Paris, Purashavakkam, Amanjikari, Triplicane, Red Hills, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Royapuram will remain shut from July 31 to August 9. The decision was taken after a meeting with the trade unions.
In the last five days, the number of Covid-19 cases has been increasing across Tamil Nadu. On Friday, 1947 fresh cases of coronavirus were reported in the state. Among them, Chennai accounted for 215 cases, which is the second-highest after Coimbatore’s 230.
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Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had asked all the district and corporation officials to decide on the necessary steps to control the spread of the virus. He had even raised concern about how people are gathering in large numbers without adhering to Covid appropriate behaviour.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday also extended the statewide lockdown till August 9. No further relaxation was added to what is already in place.
After a meeting chaired by CM MK Stalin, the state government said that the relaxations were brought with the view that the livelihood of the public should not be affected. However, with people failing to follow the Covid-19 guidelines, Tamil Nadu decided against any new relaxation.
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Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/chennai/story/chennai-corporation-closes-9-markets-amid-covid-19-resurgence-in-tamil-nadu-1834915-2021-07-30
