Tamil Nadu announces relaxations that will come into effect as State breaches 90,000 cases

Chennai: Tamil Nadu announced "certain relaxations" which were already allowed prior to the commencement of the June 19 complete lockdown, as part of the State's efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. This comes as the State witnessed 3943 cases on Tuesday.

This is the third day that the State has recorded 3940 cases and above. On Monday, the Tamil Nadu government further extended the general state-wide lockdown till July 31, even while extending the 'full lockdown' in greater Chennai and parts of neighbouring Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, besides parts of Madurai district till July 5 midnight.

While no activity will continue to be permitted within any of the 'Containment Zones (CZ)' in the state including greater Chennai and neighbouring districts, already permitted trade, including groceries and vegetable shops, commercial and industrial activities would be allowed to resume, as long as social distancing and other norms are followed, a statement from the government said.

It said that even in places where the 'complete lockdown' has been imposed, the already permitted activities (before June 19) will be allowed from July 6 till July 31, these include resumption of private offices. However, the government order said that wherever possible work from home must be observed.

The 'general lockdown' in these areas will continue till July 31 after the expiry of the 'complete lockdown' on the midnight of July 5, the release highlighted.

Further on the four Sundays falling on July 5, July 12, July 19 and July 26 there will be a complete lockdown where nothing except essential services like milk and water supply besides medical services and pharmacies will function, the release stated.

Inter-district public bus transport by TNSTC (Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation) will be stopped from July 1 to July 15, the release said, while the requirement of people having to get an ePass for inter-district and inter-state travel will continue to be in force till July 31.

Later in the day, news surfaced about the State's Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan testing positive for Covid-19. The hospital said his condition is stable and vital parameters are normal.

Tamil Nadu has seen 90,167 cases of the infection with 50,074 people recovering and 1,201 deaths. On Tuesday alone, the State reported 60 deaths.

Chennai is the worst affected district and has witnessed 58,327 and of the total deaths, has accounted for 888.