Chennai, June 28 (UNI) Temples and places of worships in Chennai
and its three neighbouring districts re-opened after a gap of nearly
50 days, public transport services commenced in 23 more districts,
as yet another week of extended COVID lockdown began on Monday
morning with more relaxations.
The total and complete lockdown which began on May 10, was being
extended by every week with enhanced relaxations.
Chief Minister M K Stalin, who had reviewed the prevailing COVID
situation across the State, announced the lockdown was extended
from today morning to July five 0600 hrs, while coming out with more
relaxations, in all the 38 districts of the state, which were categorised
into three types.
After a gap of nearly 50 days, public entry were allowed in temples,
churches, mosques and places of worship, shopping complexes and
malls reopened in Chennai and neighbouring Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram
and Chenglapet districts (classified as Category 3), while intra and
inter-district public transport services resume in 23 districts coming
under Category-2 from today.
Additional relaxations in 11 districts in western and central Tamil
Nadu, where a stricter lockdown had been in force in the wake of
higher caseload, also came into being from today.
In Chennai and three districts, private offices started functioning
with 100 per cent staff strength, while textile and jewellery shops
without AC facility, too re-opened with 50 per cent of customer
capacity and timings were extended for shops and establishments
which were already opened in these places, where public transport
services commenced last week.
However, cinema halls and gaming centres continued to remain shut.
In 23 districts under category-II, intra and inter-district public
transport began with 50 per cent seating and all private offices
started to function with 50 per cent of their staff along with
construction firms.
Sales and servicing centres of mobile phones, computer hardware,
software and spare parts of electronic appliances too re-opened.
As part of extended relaxations, the Government also announced
the re-opening of textile and jewellery shops with 50 per cent
customers.
The 23 Category-II districts are: Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri,
Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Kanniyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai,
Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Ranipet, Sivaganga,
Theni, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai,
Thoothukudi, Tiruchi, Vellore, Villupuram and Virudhunagar.
Meanwhile, long distance public bus services operated by the
State Express Transport Corporations resumed in 27 districts
from today, except in 11 districts--Coimbatore, Erode, Karur,
Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Salem, Thanjavur, the
Nilgiris, Tiruppur and Tiruvarur--which comes under category-I
in view of higher caseload.
In Category-1 district, all government offices, industries,
banks and ATM services and insurance companies started
funcioning with 100 per cent staff, while IT and ITES firms
operated with with 50 per cent workforce.
Gymnasiums and yoga centres too were open.
The Government also announced that the earlier relaxations
already announced would continue.
Schools, colleges, universities and training centres were
allowed for admission activities. Government parks and those
under the control of the local bodies and playgrounds were
also opened for walking and jogging from 5.00 AM to 9.00 AM.
UNI GV 1130