Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced the extension of the COVID-19 lockdown in the State till April 30 on a day when the total number of novel coronavirus cases increased to 1,173 with 98 new patients testing positive for the pandemic. In Chennai, the number of COVID-19 patients crossed the 200-mark and stood at 205 on Monday.
COVID-19 | Interactive map of confirmed coronavirus cases in India
Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayansamy also announced an extension in the lockdown till the month-end.
The ongoing lockdown was originally scheduled to end at 6 a.m. on April 15. “All the restrictions presently being implemented under provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) would continue, in the effort to contain COVID-19,” Mr. Palaniswami said in a statement.
On Saturday last, Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam had said that the State Cabinet had decided to go by what the Centre would decide on extension of lockdown.
The Chief Minister, however, said, the latest decision followed his earlier consultation with the Prime Minister via videoconferencing, the advisory from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and recommendations made by a team of medical and public health experts, and the decision taken at the Cabinet meeting. Besides, the COVID-19 could spread if the lockdown was relaxed.
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A top official told The Hindu that the Chief Minister had only on Monday afternoon decided to extend the lockdown as the Centre’s announcement was delayed. “The PM’s in his scheduled address on Tuesday morning might perhaps cover only [extending lockdown only in] certain States across the country. So, we have opted to take our decision,” he said.
Mr. Palaniswami announced that the ration entitlements to rice cardholders — 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of tur dhal, 1 kg of cooking oil, besides the usual allotment of rice, would be issued for free of cost for May. The cash assistance of ₹1,000 would be extended for the second time to all workers in the unorganised sectors, who were members of various labour welfare boards. Migrant workers will get a relief kit with 15 kg of rice, 1 kg of tur dhal, 1 kg of cooking oil for May.
Bakeries can offer takeaway service between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. People could get any doubts on the pandemic clarified through a helpline from doctors registered with the Telemedicine Society of India.
Later in the day, the State government formally notified the extension of the lockdown till midnight of April 30.
In Puducherry, Mr. Narayanasamy in an audio message said essentials could be sold and fishermen and farmers could engage in their vocation. Any relaxation for other sectors would be decided after the scheduled announcement by the Prime Minister.
(With inputs from Rajesh B Nair)