Chennai, suburbs under 12-day intense lockdown from June 19

CHENNAI: The relentless surge in Covid-19 cases forced the Tamil Nadu government on Monday to announce yet another intense lockdown in Chennai and adjoining parts of three neighbouring districts for 12 days starting June 19. The relaxations, however, will be confined to vegetable and grocery shops and fuel pumps. But people have been advised not to use vehicles and to get their essentials within 2km of their residences.

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the lockdown after a meeting with health experts and later with cabinet members. “Considering the spread of the virus and based on consultations with medical and health experts and cabinet members, we have decided to enforce an intense lockdown from June 19 midnight until June 30 midnight,” the CM said in a statement. He announced Rs 1,000 support to all ration card holders in areas under intense lockdown and to the members of unorganised welfare boards and other welfare boards.
There will be full lockdown on June 21 and 28 (Sundays) with no relaxation. Barring milk supply, hospitals, pharmacies, ambulance services, emergency and funeral hearse vans, no other activity will be permitted on Sundays. Private vehicles will be allowed only for emergency medical needs.
‘Pace of the virus spread reason for intense lockdown’
With Chennai’s Covid cases crossing 33,000 and that of Tamil Nadu surging past 46,000, a worried government took the lockdown decision against the advice of health experts. Facing flak from the opposition, the government on Friday brought back J Radhakrishnan as health secretary, replacing Beela Rajesh.On Monday, the cabinet unanimously agreed to the intense lockdown, requesting the administration to give time to people to stock up and to prevent panic buying. “The reason cited was the pace of the virus spread in Chennai and adjoining districts (Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet). This lockdown will give some space for the administration to focus on the infected streets, besides breaking the cycle,” chief secretary K Shanmugam said.
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.
Based on the experience gained in the first total lockdown in April, the government has planned to effectively mobilise and strengthen security and containment measures. Special control rooms will be set up in each zone to manage the supply of essentials in containment zones and quarantined houses.
Industrial workers in Greater Chennai Police limits will be permitted to stay and work in the units or adjoining places for 12 days after they undergo RT-PCR tests. Similarly, employees from Greater Chennai Police limits, who move to other areas for work, 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. The continuous processing industries and industries manufacturing essential commodities will be permitted to operate with adequate precautions.
Taking note of the surge in cases, the government decided to revert to 33% strength in state and Union government offices. 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 should get permission from officials in advance. Construction activities are permitted availing in-situ workers during the intense lockdown.
The chief minister made a fervent appeal to the people to extend their cooperation. “Wearing a mask is mandatory for people stepping out. The disease can be contained only if people wash their hands frequently at home and workplaces, wear masks, maintain social distancing, avoid going out unnecessarily and support the government,” the chief minister said, while asking people to visit hospitals immediately if they show Covid symptoms and get medical assistance. The fifth phase of lockdown ends on June 30 across the country.