Courtesy-Business Standard
Following consultations with medical experts, with some restrictions been eased in certain districts, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to extend the COVID-19 lockdown till 28th June in the state.
The government has divided the districts in Tamil Nadu into three tiers:
As the active caseload continues to remain high, tier 1 includes 11 districts comprising of Nilgiris, Thiruppur, Erode, Coimbatore, Salem, Namakkal, Thiruvarur, Karur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai where no additional relaxations have been provided.
Tier 2 includes 23 districts where additional relaxations have been provided. These 23 districts comprise Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Kanyakumari, Perambalur, Madurai, Pudukottai, Ranipet, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Theni, Thirupathur, Thirunelveli, Thuthukudi, Thiruvannamalai, Trichy, Vellore, Virudhunagar and Villupuram.
Along those extended to tier 2 districts, tier 3 districts get additional relaxations which comprise of Kancheepuram, Chengalpet, Thiruvallur and Chennai.
Standalone grocery stores and vegetable markets shall be allowed to function from 6 am to 7 pm along with Parcel services allowed in restaurants and tea stalls from 6 am to 9 pm. E-commerce shall be allowed to function from 6 am to 9 pm, Sweet stall allowed to function from 6 am to 9 pm and other government offices can function with 50 per cent staff along with essential government services can function with 100 per cent staff, in the Tier 2 Districts.
With regards to tier 3 districts, While private offices concerned, they can call in 50% of their workforce and all government offices can function with 100% staff, public transport has been allowed to operate with 50% occupancy, while in Chennai only 50% cap on seating is allowed for the metro services to operate. E-registration is no longer required to travel in taxis and auto-rickshaws.