Chennai: Due to increasing cases of corona, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to implement lockdown from June 19 to June 30 in four districts. These four districts are Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpet and Thiruvallur. All these districts are under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Chennai Police. During this time, a complete ban will remain in force on both Sundays.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister EK Palanisamy has named this lockdown as ‘Maximum Restricted Lockdown’. In the lockdown, however, grocery stores, hotels (take-away only) and other shops selling essential items will be open during the lockdown between six to two in the afternoon. Tamil Nadu has the highest number of corona infections in the country after Maharashtra. The Chief Minister has taken this decision after meeting with health experts.
Palaniswami said that keeping in view the infection of the virus and based on the suggestions of medical and health experts, a strict lockdown will continue from June 19 to June 30. The lockdown will continue in all the Panchayats of Greater Chennai Police Border, Thiruvallur Municipality, Gummidipundi, Ponneri and Minjur Nagar Panchayats and Poonamallee, Ekkadu and Cholavaram Panchayat Unions. The work of essentials like hospital, labs, pharmacy, ambulance will continue. Rental autos, taxis and private vehicles will not be allowed. However, they can be used in case of emergency.
33 percent of the staff will work in state and central offices. However departments with essential services such as Secretariat, Health and Family Welfare Department, Police, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Electricity, Water Supply will continue to work with adequate staff. Apart from this, banks have been allowed to open on June 29 and 30 with 33 percent staff. However, ATMs will continue to function as before.
