Tamil Nadu announces largescale lockdown relaxations, does away with e-pass for intra-state travel

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday, while extending general lockdown till September 30, introduced largescale relaxations for the movement of public, in an attempt to spur economic activity and growth.
From Tuesday, September 1, intra-district operations of public transport (buses) has been permitted across the state, including in Chennai.
A state government statement said all shops, malls, temples and clubs would function from September 1.
However, theatres, schools and colleges will remain closed.
“From September 1, people can move anywhere within the state without the need for e-passes. But, international passengers arriving in flights, as well as those entering the state in private vehicles and trains would need to apply for e-pass, which will be sanctioned to all under auto-approved mode,” chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said in a statement on Sunday evening.
All temples and other places of worship in the state will be thrown open for the public. The government will come out with separate standard operating procedures on the number of devotees to be allowed at a time.
Intra-district operations of buses, run by both public and private transport operators, including in Chennai, will begin from Tuesday (September 1). Bus services will be operated based on a separate SOPs to be released by the transport department.
The intense lockdown now in force on Sundays will not be enforced anymore.
Chennai Metro rail will resume operations on September 7, as already directed by ministry of home affairs.
All shopping malls, large showrooms and shops of all sizes can function from Tuesday with 100% employees and following the Centre’s guideline on air-conditioned systems. All types of shops can remain open till 8pm on all days in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai.
Restaurants and teashops, already operating as per laid down guidelines, will remain open till 8pm while they can remain open for “take-aways” till 9pm.
All industries as well as IT/ITeS sector can have their operations with 100% employees. But the IT/ITeS sector is being advised to encourage work from home for most part, barring the critical areas of operations that need the presence of employees in office premises.
Hotels with rooms, resorts, recreation clubs and clubs are being permitted to operate from September 1, 2020 by following SOPs. Gyms, parks and sports stadia will be open for undertaking training, but members of the public will not be allowed inside stadiums.
State government offices will function with 100% employees from September 1 while skill development centres and ITIs will function starting September 21.
Both government and private offices have to notify a nodal officer and strictly monitor the implementation of SOPs. Banks and other financial institutions too can function with 100% employees.
People keen on visiting hill stations like the Nilgris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud from other districts should apply for e-pass from the respective district collector. The move is to restrict number of people visiting these places.
Film shootings are permitted to resume, but with a maximum of 75 people. But members of the public will not be allowed to watch film shootings.
While inter-state passenger train services will run on permitted routes, passenger trains will not be operational within the state till September 15. A decision to permit train services after September 15 will be taken, considering the situation.
A new protocol for quarantine and testing will be introduced for both domestic and international air passengers, as well as those coming in by trains from other states.
Number of domestic flights landing at Chennai airport per day will be doubled to 50, from the present 25, from September 1.
While Section 144 that prevents unlawful assembly of more than five persons will remain in force, no relaxations of any type will be applicable for containment zones.
Schools, colleges, research centres and all types of educational institutions will remain closed till September 30. But online classes can be conducted.
Theatres, swimming pools and amusement as well as entertainment parks will remain closed too. Large auditoriums, convention halls, beaches, zoos and museums and tourist places will remain inaccessible for public.
Suburban trains will remain shut. All types of public meetings and religious gatherings as well as processions will not be permitted.
“While the state government has been taking all efforts to contain the spread of the virus, I request the members of the public to adhere to safety precautions and compulsorily wear masks, besides making it a compulsive habit of washing hands frequently, besides maintaining social distancing at public places and venturing out only when necessary,” Palaniswami said.