Chennai: The COVID-19 lockdown has been extended Tamil Nadu by one more week till June 14, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Saturday. The last lockdown extension in Tamil Nadu was till 6 am on June 7, Monday. It has now been extended till next Monday, however, some region-wise relaxations have also been provided.

In a statement, MK Stalin said the existing permissible activity will be allowed.

Parts of the state that will get comparatively more relaxations in lockdown rules include Chennai and districts in north and south Tamil Nadu.

However, 11 districts in the west and delta region where COVID infection rate is higher will be given lesser relaxations.

MK Stalin said relaxations will be limited in Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai. Some essential services in these districts subject to the following restrictions will be allowed from June 7 onwards.

Here are the new lockdown guidelines that will be applicable across Tamil Nadu except for the 11 mentioned districts from June 7:

  • Shopping malls, tourist places, cinema halls and salons will remain shut across the state.
  • All government offices will function with 30 per cent capacity.
  • Standalone provision shops, grocery stories, fish and meat stalls will be allowed to open between 6 am and 5 pm.
  • Pavement shops selling vegetables, fruit and flowers will be allowed to function between 6 am and 5 pm.
  • Only wholesale trade will be permitted in fish markets and slaughterhouses.
  • District administrations will make arrangements for open wholesale markets in more than one place for ensuring social distancing.
  • Only 50 tokens will be issued at sub-registrar offices.
  • Only 50 per cent workforce will be allowed in matchbox factories.

In the case of other districts apart from the above the following services are allowed with relaxations:

  • Private housekeeping services will be allowed with e-pass.
  • Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, motor technicians and other self-employed persons will be allowed to function between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. with e-pass.
  • Shops selling electrical goods, hardware, automobile components, book, stationery items, automobile service stations (not sales showrooms) can function between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Cycle and two-wheeler mechanic shops can function between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Taxis with three passengers other than driver and autorickshaws with two passengers can ply with e-pass.
  • For those travelling to hill stations can do with e-pass from the District Collectors.
  • Export units and units supplying raw materials for export units located in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Salem, Karur, Erode, Namakkal and Trichy can function for supply of samples with 10 per cent staff strength.