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Chennai:
The Tamil Nadu government today extended the coronavirus lockdown in the state till July 19, while relaxing a few restrictions. Shops can remain open for a longer time and need to shut only by 9 pm.
Restaurants, tea shops, bakeries, roadside eateries and sweet shots can stay open till 9 pm with 50 per cent customers.
These places will need to comply with Covid protocols such as placing hand sanitisers outside and ensuring that people in queues follow social distancing. Air-conditioned outlets must have adequate ventilation with doors and/or windows open.
The state has also decided to resume bus services to neighbouring Puducherry.
On Friday, Tamil Nadu logged 3,039 COVID-19 cases and 69 deaths. The state has reported over 25.13 lakh cases since the beginning of the pandemic.