CHENNAI: The
Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced new restrictions, including night
curfew from 10pm to 4am, to curb the spread of
Covid-19. The new restrictions will come into effect on April 20. Sunday curfew would be implemented from April 25, a statement from the government said
Essential services will be permitted.
No public or private transport will be allowed during night curfew. Since night curfew is being imposed, intra-state and inter-state public and private transport too will not be operated.
Emergency healthcare, autos/taxis bound for railway stations and airports and essential services, including milk and newspaper distribution, will be permitted.
Petroleum transport vehicles to be allowed. Print and television media will be permitted to work even during night.
Those in continuous process industries will be permitted to work even during nights. Employees on night shifts can use their own private transport. They have to retain ID card.
Services of online food delivery companies like will be permitted during limited hours on
lockdown Sundays. Other e-commerce delivery service will not be permitted.
Tourists banned from entering hill stations like the Nilgris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud.
Private hospitals with required infrastructure can join hands with consenting hotels to operate Covid care centres. Other guests will not be permitted to stay in such hotels.
Action to be taken against the owners of wedding halls, cinema theatres, restaurants and teashops that failed to adhere and implement Covid restrictions in force.
Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami directed officials to increase number of tests in districts reporting higher Covid-19 cases and also implement effective contact tracing to minimize the effects of the spread of the disease.
The CM directed the industries department to issue temporary licence to industrial units within the state coming forward to produce oxygen to ensure adequate supply and stock.
Special monitoring teams in all districts will be established to monitor implementation and follow up of Covid restrictions in place.