Tamil Nadu extends lockdown for one more week, offers some relaxations

The Tamil Nadu government extended the lockdown in the state till 6 am on June 14 but offered some relaxations.

Curbs have been further eased in state capital Chennai while already permitted activities will continue.

The state's chief minister M K Stalin said that 11 districts - Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Myladuthurai - still have high rate of infections but certain relaxations have been offered to these districts as well to help people.

The new guidelines mandate:

-Standalone vegetable, fruits, fish and meat shops to function between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m;

-Vegetable, flower and fruit vendors on pavement can function between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m;

-Slaughter houses will be permitted for wholesale businesses only.

-Government offices can function with 30 per cent staff strength; -Only 50 tokens will be issued at sub-registrar offices; -Only 50 per cent workers are allowed in match box 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.

Tamil Nadu registered 22,651 new COVID-19 infections and 463 deaths on Friday pushing the total infected so far to 21,95,402 and the fatalities to 26,128.

(Pointers from IANS)