The Tamil Nadu government has decided not to impose any fresh restriction in view of the emergence of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus. It will continue with the existing curbs till December 31.
The announcement came after Chief Minister M.K. Stalin met World Health Organisation Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan; Manoj Murhekar, Director of ICMR-NIE (National Institute of Epidemiology); ICMR-NIE Deputy Director Prabhdeep Kaur; CMC Director J.V. Peter; K.N. Arun Kumar, sub-regional head, WHO; R. Palaniswamy, State president of the IMA; P. Kuganantham. former Director of the Communicable Diseases Hospital; V Ramasubramanian, infectious disease specialist, Apollo Hospitals; and Heath Minister Ma. Subramanian.
An official statement said the experts made suggestions for tackling the spread of the Omicron variant. “On account of the upcoming festival season, the experts said people are likely to converge in large numbers at various places. The citizens are requested not to gather in large numbers anywhere, to wear a mask while stepping out of their homes and to maintain physical distancing outside,” the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Stalin also requested the citizens to get vaccinated at the camps arranged by the government and asked shops, commercial establishments and cinema halls to adhere to the guidelines.