With Chennai headed towards another stringent lockdown from Friday (June 19) till June 30 to contain the spread of coronavirus in the city, the police have decided to enforce Section 144 with very little relaxations, discouraging people to use their vehicles and insisting upon revalidating passes already issued.
Huge queues in front of Tasmac shops a day before lockdown in the State
Chennai: Speaking to the media, Commissioner of Police AK Viswanathan said that people should not venture out beyond the 2km radius from their homes and advised them to purchase essentials from nearby shops. “Travelling far to buy vegetables and groceries on two-wheelers and in cars is discouraged. The government has given enough time to stock up on essentials,” he said. Private vehicles will be allowed in case of medical emergencies or scheduled travel to airport or railway stations. “Other vehicles will be confiscated,” he said.
Since government offices can function with a 33% workforce, staff are advised to print their ID cards on A5 paper, put them up in front of their vehicles to make it easier for police to check them on a priority basis. “Similarly, only those with industry department’s permit will be allowed to go to Chennai’s outskirts for work,” he said. The Commissioner said that drones will be used to locate people wandering on the streets unnecessarily and they will be booked. “Apart from the check posts at borders, 288 checkpoints have been set up within the city to control people’s movement,” he said.
He said action will be taken against those crossing the Greater Chennai Police limits without valid passes or with fake passes. Those found without masks will also be booked. While Anna Salai and Kamarajar Salai are among the major roads to be closed for traffic, only vehicles plying for medical emergencies and carrying essentials will be allowed to use these roads after verification. “The existing passes are no longer valid and fresh passes should be obtained by applying on the website tnepass.tnega.org and those issued for marriage purposes have to be revalidated on the same website,” he said.
The officer also advised shopkeepers to ensure sanitisation and social distancing and masks for both staff and customers.
Since government offices can function with a 33% workforce, staff are advised to print their ID cards on A5 paper, put them up in front of their vehicles to make it easier for police to check them on a priority basis. “Similarly, only those with industry department’s permit will be allowed to go to Chennai’s outskirts for work,” he said. The Commissioner said that drones will be used to locate people wandering on the streets unnecessarily and they will be booked. “Apart from the check posts at borders, 288 checkpoints have been set up within the city to control people’s movement,” he said.
He said action will be taken against those crossing the Greater Chennai Police limits without valid passes or with fake passes. Those found without masks will also be booked. While Anna Salai and Kamarajar Salai are among the major roads to be closed for traffic, only vehicles plying for medical emergencies and carrying essentials will be allowed to use these roads after verification. “The existing passes are no longer valid and fresh passes should be obtained by applying on the website tnepass.tnega.org and those issued for marriage purposes have to be revalidated on the same website,” he said.
The officer also advised shopkeepers to ensure sanitisation and social distancing and masks for both staff and customers.