Classes IX to XII & colleges to reopen in Tamil Nadu from September 1

CHENNAI: Four months after closing down theatres due to a surge in cases during the second Covid-19 wave, the state government on Saturday allowed cinemas, swimming pools for sports training, and bars in hotels and recreation clubs to operate at 50% capacity from Monday.

The statewide lockdown has been extended till September 6, but all colleges and schools for Classes IX, X, XI and XII can function from September 1 on rotational basis with 50% students attending classes on alternate days.
Other relaxations allowed from Monday include permission for people to visit beaches, zoological parks, botanical gardens and boat houses and interstate public bus services to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Noon meal scheme will be permitted for school students following standard operating procedure. “Reopening of kindergarten sections and Classes I to VIII from September 15 will be discussed and announced after monitoring higher sections,” said chief minister M K Stalin in a statement.
Polytechnics can also conduct classes on rotational basis, the CM said. All teaching and non-teaching staff of colleges must be fully vaccinated.
Since the existing lockdown ends at 6am on August 23, the chief minister held a meeting with officials and ministers on inter-state and intrastate viral spread, the impact of Covid-19 in neighbouring states, lockdown restrictions, awareness on vaccination, and virus containment measures.
Owners of theatres have to ensure that their staff are fully vaccinated. Commissioners of respective corporations and district collectors have to ensure that traders and their staff operating on beaches and other public places are fully vaccinated. All shops will be allowed to operate till 10pm. IT/ITES companies can operate with 100% workforce.
Anganwadis will be permitted to supply meals from September 1. District collectors will have to ensure that the staff are vaccinated. Crèches also will be allowed. The employment training programmes of Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation and Women Development Corporation will be allowed.
Only 50% trainers will be allowed at swimming pools operating for sports training. Trainers and trainees above 18 years should be vaccinated.
Standard operating procedures should be followed at shops and places of public gathering. Hand sanitisers and thermal scanners are compulsory in all such places. Management should ensure workers and customers wear masks compulsorily. Crowding should be avoided, the CM said.