Indicating the possibility of soon relaxing the lockdown in Green Zones which have no active case of COVID-19, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday instructed all District Collectors to implement the State government guidelines to be issued in this regard.
According to a classification by the Centre, green zones are those which do not have a single case of COVID-19 patient. While the ‘Orange Zones’ have less number of patients, the ‘Red Zones’ have higher number of patients who have contracted the novel Coronavirus disease.
At a video conference, Mr. Palaniswami told Collectors they could take steps to allow industries to function in green zones as and when the government issues appropriate instructions.
The Centre has granted permission for allowing cement, sugar, sago, steel and medical equipment manufacturing industries, he said. However, he directed the Collectors not to allow functioning of such industries located in Coronavirus “containment zones.” There should be no movement in or out of containment zones.
He urged them to take steps to ensure that orange zones become green zones, and red zones turn into orange zones at the earliest.
Hotels and bakeries could offer takeaway service only between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Mr. Palaniswami instructed police to regulate people stepping out on the streets unnecessarily and ensure that e-passes were given after thorough scrutiny.
Collectors were also directed to watch out for movement of people and vehicles through inter-State borders and subject them to medical check-ups. Though the spread of COVID-19 was under control in town panchayats and Municipalities, it was not the case in Municipal Corporations, Mr. Palaniswami pointed out.
Chennai worrying
The spread of COVID-19 was largely under control in the State except for Chennai. “Chennai is a large city with higher population density. Since many live in narrow streets, it is easy for the disease to spread. That is also why there is an increase in the COVID-19 deaths in Chennai,” the Chief Minister said.
Only if people followed the guidelines laid down by the government, the spread could be contained, he reiterated.
He urged Collectors to ensure physical distancing in ration shops, vegetable shops and use registered volunteers for crowd control in PDS outlets.
People could be engaged under MGNREGS but where over 50 people were involved, they could be assigned work in multiple batches. However, those above 55 years of age should be kept away and instead one of their family members could be engaged, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar, Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam, Director General of Police J.K. Tripathy and senior officials participated.