The Tamil Nadu Government has issued guidelines to extend the lockdown in the State till 31st August, 2020 .
Permitted Activities
The following activities have been permitted along with the existing permitted activities since 1st August, 2020 in all the areas under the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police (Except in Containment Zones):
1. Private offices, industrial establishments:
i. All Private offices, industrial establishments and Export oriented units which were allowed to function with 50% of strength, have now been allowed to function with 75% of strength.
ii. However, work from home shall be encouraged to the extent possible.
2. E- commerce:
E-Commerce including delivery of essential and non-essential goods shall be permitted;
3. Restaurants and Tea shops:
i. Restaurants and Tea shops have been permitted to function with dine-in facilities at 50% of seating capacity while adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures issued earlier, from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm. However, air conditioning may not be used.
ii. Take away (Parcel food) will be permitted in the Hotels / Restaurants from 6.00 am to 9.00 pm as allowed prior to 31st July, 2020.
4. Religious Places:
i. Following the Standard Operating Procedures issued already, only in Small Temples with annual income of less than Rs.10000/-, Small mosques, darghas, churches and other religious places in Village Panchayats, Town Panchayats and in Municipality will be allowed for public worship with prior permission of concerned District Collectors;
ii. Big places of Worship and Religious Places in Corporation areas would remain closed for public worship.
5. Vegetable shops and Provision shops:
i. Vegetable shops and Provision shops which were permitted to function from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, will now be permitted to function from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm;
ii. Other shops which were permitted to function from 10.00 am. to 6.00 pm, will now be permitted to function from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm;
6. Use of Aarogya Setu:
i. With a view to ensuring safety in offices and work places, employers on best effort basis to ensure that Aarogya Setu is installed by all employees with compatible mobile phones;
ii. District authorities may advise individuals to install the Aarogya Setu application on compatible mobile phones and regularly update their health status on the app. This will facilitate timely provision of medical attention to those individuals who are at risk;
Restricted Activities:
The following activities will continue to remain prohibited until further orders, during the lockdown period throughout the State till 31st August, 2020:
i. All international air travel of passengers, except for purposes as permitted by MHA;
ii. All religious places/places of worship in All Corporation areas and big religious places/ places of worship throughout the State will be closed for public worship. Religious congregations are strictly prohibited;
iii. Metro rail services and suburban train services;
iv. Inter-State Public and Private bus Transport and intra State Private and public bus transport.
v. Tourists travel to tourist places like Nilgiris District, Kodaikanal and Yercaud will be prohibited;
vi. Hotels and other hospitality services, except those meant for housing all Government officials including Health, Police and persons from other States for quarantine facilities;
vii. Shopping malls;
viii. Schools, colleges, educational / training / coaching institutions etc. will remain closed. Online / distance learning shall continue to be permitted and be encouraged;
ix. All Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls, Beaches, Tourist places, Zoos, Museums and similar places. Sports complex and stadia will be permitted to open without spectators.
x. All social / political / sports / entertainment / academic / cultural / religious functions / other gatherings and large congregations.
1. Operation of Buses:
Operation of both private and Government buses within the districts will remain suspended from 1st August, 2020 to 31st August, 2020 throughout the State.
2. E-pass system:
E-Pass system will continue to be in force for both inter state and inter-district travel.
3. Restrictions for Marriages and Funerals:
i. Marriage related gathering: Number of guests not to exceed 50.
ii. Funeral/last rites related gathering: Number of persons not to exceed 20.
4. Lockdown on all Sundays falling in the month of August:
i. Complete lockdown will be enforced without any relaxations throughout the State on all the Sundays falling in the month of August i.e. on 2.8.2020 (from midnight 12.00 hrs on 1.8.2020 to 6.00 A.M. on 3.8.2020), 9.8.2020 (from midnight 12.00 hrs on 8.8.2020 to 6.00 A.M. on 10.8.2020), 16.8.2020 (from midnight 12.00 hrs on 15.8.2020 to 6.00 A.M. on 17.8.2020), 23.08.2020 (from midnight 12.00 hrs on 22.8.2020 to 6,00 A.M. on 24.8.2020) and 30.08.2020 (from midnight 12.00 hrs on 29.8.2020 to 6.00 A.M. on 31.8.2020).
ii. Only milk distribution, hospitals, pharmaceutical shops, hospital vehicles, ambulance and hearse vehicle services will be permitted during the above Sundays.
iii. Further, private vehicles will be allowed to ply only for medical emergencies.
Miscellaneous:
1. Independence day functions:
As per Government of India Guidelines, Independence day functions will be celebrated throughout the State with social distancing and by following other health protocols such as wearing of masks.
2. Protection of vulnerable persons:
Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes.
Penal provisions:
Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable.
Note: Extracts of the penal provisions have been provided in Annexure I of the appended Order.
Furthermore, the Order also lays down the following in consonance with the MHA Unlock 3.0 Order dated 29th July, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs:
1. National Directives for COVID-19 Management;
2. Additional Directives for work places; and
3. General Guidelines.
Source: Tamil Nadu Government
