Tamil Nadu on Sunday extended state-wide lockdown triggered by the coronavirus outbreak in the country and joined the list of states who have entered the fourth cycle of extension of restrictions.
Additionally, Tamil Nadu has allowed resumption of public and private transport in 25 districts of the state beginning May 18, when the fourth phase of current nationwide lockdown kicks in. However, the same restrictions as seen during the third phase of lockdown will continue in 12 other districts including Chennai, which is among coronavirus hotspots in the country.
Chief Minister Palaniswami on Sunday afternoon made the announcement to extend the lockdown in the state by two more weeks till May 31 but with more relaxations. Tamil Nadu is the third-worst Covid-19 affected state in the country after Maharashtra and Gujarat. The number of positive cases in the state has crossed the 10,000-mark and reached 10,585 as on Sunday.
People in 25 districts including Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Namakkal and Karur will be able to avail government and private bus transportation for intradistrict commute, the government said and added that no special permission in the form of TN e-pass will be required for the purpose.
Public transport in the state has been under suspension since March 24 evening, hours before the first phase of nationwide lockdown was clamped to contain the spread of Covid-19.
In the 12 other districts, the curbs in effect will continue even after the end of the third phase of lockdown on Sunday.
While the full range of additional exemptions granted in the 25 districts with the purpose of resumption of business and industrial activities have not been revealed yet, the state government has made it plain and simple that the restrictions on the functioning of educational institutions, public entry into religious places, mass gatherings for political and social purposes will continue.
It also clarified that no relaxations that are already in effect will be withdrawn.
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