Tamil Nadu announces new Covid-19 restrictions including closure of grocery shops by noon

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday night announced new Covid-19 restrictions which will be in force between 4am of May 6 and 4am of May 20.
All government and private offices will be allowed to function with a maximum of 50% workforce.
“Considering the recommendations of the home and health ministries of the Union government to prevent the Covid spread and to intensify the preventive measures, the new restrictions are imposed in terms of unavoidable reasons,” an official release said.
Only 50% seating capacity will be permitted in passenger trains, metro trains, private and government buses and rental taxis.
Standalone grocery and vegetable shops will be allowed to function without air conditioning till noon. Only 50% customers could be allowed at a time and all other shops are disallowed. “Essential services like pharmacies and milk supply will be permitted as usual,” the release said.
The government had already prohibited big format shops, shopping complexes and malls from April 26 onwards.
Takeaway service is alone permitted in restaurants/hotels/mess. Teashops will be allowed till noon while door delivery of food alone is permitted at hotels and lodges.
All social/political/sports/entertainment/education/cultural events are prohibited in closed and open spaces.
Cinema theatres will not function.
The government had earlier given a ceiling of 25 people for wedding-related gathering and funeral. It has now decided to permit only a maximum of 20 people.
“Beauty parlors and spas have already been prohibited in corporations and municipalities. Now, they will not be allowed in containment zones of the rural areas,” the release said.
The previous restrictions during night curfew and Sunday lockdown would continue.
As ordered earlier, fish markets, chicken and meat stalls will not be allowed on Saturdays (and Sundays due to Sunday lockdown). They will be allowed rest of the week between 6am and noon.