COVID-19: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announces 14-day state-wide lockdown from May 10

File Photo (Reuters)

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday (May 8, 2021) announced a 14-day state-wide lockdown from May 10 to curb the COVID-19 spread.

The decision was taken due to 'unavoidable circumstances' after Stalin held review meetings with officials on Friday. 

This comes a day after the newly-elected Chief Minister announced a COVID-19 pandemic relief of Rs 4,000 for the people of the state. Issuing his first set of orders after taking over as CM, Stalin also announced bringing COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals under a government insurance scheme, to provide succour to such people, an official release said.

The DMK Chief had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday requesting an immediate supply of additional medical oxygen, in line with what was agreed in government meetings held on May 1 and 2. The letter mentioned that Tamil Nadu is facing a looming oxygen crisis and that the requirement of medical oxygen is projected to go from the current 440MT to 840MT.

Tamil Nadu saw 26,465 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours which took the total number of active cases in the state to 1,35,355. It also recorded 197 new coronavirus-related deaths.

Earlier on Friday, Stalin also signed an order that will reduce the price of milk supplied by state-run Aavin by Rs 3 from May 16. Women can now also travel free of cost in all ordinary fare city buses operated by State transport corporation from Saturday onwards and the government has allocated a sum of Rs 1,200 crore as subsidy for this purpose.