Tamil Nadu shuts for 15 days as Covid-19 cases spike, hospitals run out of beds

CHENNAI: As Covid-19 cases crossed 27,000 a day and an overstretched healthcare sector struggled to handle the growing number of patients, the state government on Saturday announced a complete lockdown across Tamil Nadu from 4am on May 10 to 4am on May 24. Chief minister M K Stalin said that more than 23 districts in TN had reported a positivity rate of more than 10%.
On Saturday, nearly 86% of oxygen beds and 87% of ICU beds across the state were occupied. In high incidence districts such as Chennai, 99% of beds in ICUs and 96% oxygen beds were full. In districts like Dharmapuri, Tirupur, Tiruvallur and Ranipet there were no ICU beds.
Puducherry, too, on Saturday imposed a two-week lockdown starting May 10. Several states, including Kerala, Karnataka and New Delhi, have announced varying degrees of lockdown.
“In view of the impending total lockdown, the government has allowed all shops and establishments to operate for two days, May 8 and 9 (Saturday and Sunday), between 6am and 9pm,” the CM said. The decision has been taken following the views expressed by collectors, medical experts and recommendations of the Union government. The number of active cases in the state has crossed 1.35 lakh a sharp increase compared to the same period in March. All government offices, except essential departments like secretariat, medical and family welfare, revenue, police, electricity and drinking water supply, will remain closed.
Central government offices, autonomous/subordinate offices and public corporations will also remain closed. All private offices, IT and ITES establishments too will remain shut and so are industries other than exempted ones.
In a statement, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam said the total lockdown would be of great help to contain the spread. “I welcome the government’s decision to continue Amma canteens and shut Tasmac outlets,” he said. The AIADMK leader said the government could increase the mini clinics and allow it to function 24 hours by engaging temporary doctors to reduce the burden on government hospitals. He also urged the state to extend incentives to health workers. PMK leader S Anbumani Ramadoss suggested the government could waive off power bills for two months. AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran demanded that the government extend free food thrice a day in Amma canteens.
The permitted activities during the lockdown include supply of milk, newspapers, courier service, hospitals, medical labs, pharmacies, ambulance, hearse and allied medical activities, goods vehicles, vehicles carrying agricultural produce, oxygen and fuel. Shops selling fertilisers, pesticides, seeds and fodder outlets will be allowed to function between 6am and noon. Takeaway service will be permitted in restaurants, hotels, bakeries and mess between 6 am and 10 am, noon and 3 pm and 6 pm and 9 pm. E-commerce activities will be allowed only during this permitted time. Road-side eateries would not be allowed.
Amma canteens will continue to function, while pavement vendors selling vegetables and fruits will be permitted till noon. PDS outlets will function between 8 am and noon. Volunteers and caregivers attending to people with special needs, differently-abled and elderly citizens will be allowed to travel with ID cards and permission letters issued by respective organisations. Judiciary and courts, ongoing construction activities and media will be allowed.
The government has already permitted continuous process industries and industries manufacturing essential commodities. The staff/workers will be allowed to travel by carrying their ID cards either in company vehicles or own vehicles with display of ID cards. There is no bar in conducting wedding ceremonies with a maximum of 50 people. For funeral and performance of last rites, there is a cap of 20 people.
Telecommunication and related activities, maintenance and operations of data centres and other critical IT infrastructure needed to support backend operations of medical, financial, transport and other critical services, warehousing activities, including loading, unloading and storage of goods will be permitted. Even in sectors where complete lockdown is applicable, essential maintenance like fire and machine safety would be permitted. Movement of goods and workers to and from all railway stations, sea ports and airports and fuel pumps are among the permitted activities. Banks, ATMs, bank-related transport and insurance services will be allowed with 50% workforce.