The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced fresh relaxations in 27 districts, including Chennai and its neighbouring districts from the COVID-19 lockdown. Eleven districts, categorised as Type 1, have not been given any relaxations.
Extending the lockdown till June 28, the government has announced fresh relaxations in 27 districts but limited in certain aspects to Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheppuram and Tiruvallur districts.
In addition to the existing relaxations, 23 districts (categorised as Type II districts) have been granted fresh relaxations. Type-II districts are: Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Kanniyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Ranipet, Sivaganga, Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tiruppattur, Tiruvannamalai, Thoothukudi, Tiruchi, Villupuram and Virudhunagar districts.
Groceries, vegetable stores and meat stalls would be allowed to operate between 6 am and 7 pm. Shops selling flowers and fruits on pavements would also be allowed during this time.
Eateries, restaurants and bakeries would be allowed but only for parcelled food between 6 am and 9 pm. Food delivery services would also be allowed to operate during this time period.
All e-commerce companies would be allowed to serve their customers between 6 am and 9 pm. Shops for sweets and savouries would be allowed during this time.
"All essential government departments would be allowed to function with 100% of their staff and the remaining departments would be allowed to function with 50% of its staff," an official release said. Sub-registrar offices would be allowed to function. "All private companies would be allowed with 33% of their staff," it said.
Chennai transport
Besides these general relaxations, inter-district bus service would be allowed between Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts but only with 50% of the seat capacity. Metro rail services would be allowed although with only 50% of the seats. "E-registration is not necessary for those commuting on taxis, cabs and autorickshaws," an official release said.
As for 11 districts categorised as Type I districts such as Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts, no fresh relaxations have been granted.