Sunday lockdown in Tamil Nadu: People choose to stay indoors; roads wear deserted look

CHENNAI: On the first Sunday of complete lockdown during the Covid-19 second wave, people largely chose to remain indoors in Tamil Nadu, making things easy for law enforcement personnel.
Arterial roads across the state -- Anna Salai, Poonamalee High Road, Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR), East Coast Road in Chennai, Avinashi Road, Pollachi Main Road, Salem Ernakulam Nation Highway in Western Tamil Nadu and several such stretches in Madurai, Trichy, Salem, Tirunelveli and other important centres -- were devoid of vehicle movement.
Except for food delivery agents and sanitary workers of the city corporation, Chennai roads were deserted as there has been an increased public awareness about the surge in cases during the second wave.
A couple who got married at Vadapalani in Chennai during Sunday lockdown. Photo by C Suresh Kumar
In Chennai, police began rounds in neighbourhoods on Saturday evening reminding shopkeepers about the total lockdown on Sunday. In most areas, only medical shops and eateries remained open. Police erected temporary barricades on interior roads to restrict vehicle movement.
People who chose to venture out were intercepted by police personnel.
Horses were seen on a road in Coimbatore during lockdown. Photo by J Jackson
Interior roads in residential neighbourhoods too witnessed less activity as the civic body had warned people of fines. Last year, during Sunday lockdown, the civic body penalised several morning walkers.
An empty road at Srirangam in Trichy. Photo by R Bhaskar
As assembly election results would be announced next Sunday (May 2), Chennai Corporation commissioner G Prakash has announced that counting centre agents of authorised political parties and independent candidates would be allowed to come to the respective counting centres.
Deserted Mattuthavani bus stand in Madurai. Photo by K Antony Xavier
“All of them should come with valid identification cards issued by RO/ DEO and shall be worn on their person at all times. Only those with identity cards will be allowed and others will be strictly not. This applies to the officers on duty to the counting centres as well,” Prakash said.