Tamil Nadu extends lockdown till July 5, eases some restrictions in 11 districts, check details here

The Tamil Nadu Government has extended the existing lockdown till July 5 as daily COVID-19 cases in the state shows a decreasing trend.

Chennai: With daily COVID-19 cases hovering around the 6,000 mark, while showing a decreasing trend, the Tamil Nadu Government has extended the existing lockdown till July 5. The decision to extend lockdown was taken as a precaution since the state has reported nine cases of the new Delta+ variant of COVID-19.

However, various new relaxations have been provided for all districts, in view of the gradually improving situation. The ongoing lockdown was to come to an end at 6am on June 28, Monday. Based on COVID caseloads, the Government has grouped the districts into hotspots, moderate and low incidence districts. 

As per the latest guidelines, the working hours of shops and establishments in the 11 hotspot districts have been increased till 7pm. These hotspot districts are - Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai. 

In Chennai and adjoining hthree districts of Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur where there are less than 400 daily cases, the most number of relaxations have been provided. Private companies can function with 100% strength, shopping malls can open, but only take-away will be permitted in food courts, large format stores selling clothes, jewellery can operate without air conditioning and allow 50% capacity. Temples and other places of worship will also be allowed to function. Sports training facilities/camps can function and open-air sports events can be held without spectators. 

In the remaining 23 districts shops and establishments can be open till 7pm and additional permission has been granted to open stores selling utensils, fancy items, photo/video studios, Xerox shops and tailoring shops etc.

Walkers will be permitted in all beaches across the state from 5 to 9am, matchbox making units can function with 100% strength. Those in non-hotspot districts can travel for weddings without E-registration. However, those traveling for weddings between hotspot districts and those traveling from other moderate districts to hotspot districts will have to E-register. Only 50 members will be allowed to take part in a wedding event. 

Travel to tourists destinations such as Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Kuttraalam will be permitted only for Emergency purposes, based on E-passes obtained from respective district authorities.