Chennai: Amid the rising number of coronavirus cases, several fake news and misinformation have surfaced on social media platforms. One such message which is going viral on WhatsApp claims that lockdown and restrictions will be imposed in Tamil Nadu from 8 PM on Friday, April 9. The fake message also has a list of ‘new restrictions’ including implementation of section 144 of the CrPC across the state, closure of beaches, temples, PVRs, work from home directive for private employees among others. “New guidelines will be implemented from 8 pm on Friday, April 9 to April 30 (sic),” the message reads.
Dismissing rumours, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan asked people to beware of baseless rumours. “No such advisory has been issued and that people should not believe any news that doesn’t come from official means of communication”, Radhakrishnan told The News Minute.
Furthermore, he asserted that the government may impose some curbs for non-essential activities like restrictions on the number of people attending weddings and funerals. “We need to avoid unnecessary cultural activities and travel. But all this will be done step by step,” he added.
CLAIM: Tamil Nadu govt to impose curfew from April 9
FACT: No such plan under consideration as of now.
COVID-19 Cases in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu on Monday reported 3,672 new infections and 11 deaths, pushing the caseload to over the nine-lakh mark aggregating 9,03,479 cases and the total fatalities to 12,789, the Health Department said. Recoveries mounted to 8,66,913 today with 1,842 patients being discharged, leaving 23,777 active cases which included those in isolation, the bulletin said. Chennai accounted for most of the new infections with 1,335 cases, totalling 2,55,074. It leads in the number of fatalities too with 4,275.