Tamil Nadu imposes new COVID-19 restrictions: gyms, theatres, malls and salons to be shut from April 26

Coimbatore:  The Tamil Nadu government has released a fresh list of restrictions to curb the COVID-19 second wave in the state. The announcement has mentioned that locations like salons, theatres, big shops and malls will not be allowed to open from April 26.

The Tamil Nadu government had imposed a night curfew in Tamil Nadu a few days ago to control the second wave of COVID-19. The night curfew has been in force in Tamil Nadu from 10 pm to 4 am every day and full curfew was said to be enforced on Sundays.

Alongside, COVID-19 vaccination has been intensified in Tamil Nadu. However, the increasing number of COVID-19 infections and deaths has frightened the people.

Reviewing the alarming rise in cases, the Tamil Nadu government has announced that it will intensify COVID-19 restrictions in Tamil Nadu. The new regulations come into effect from 26.4.2021 (Monday). 

"It is unfortunate that despite the various measures taken by the government to control COVID-19 infections, the incidence of Coronavirus infections continues to rise as people do not wear masks in public places and do not observe social space. In view of the rapid spread of the disease and in the interest of the general public, the following new restrictions are being imposed from 4.00 am on 26.4.2021 under the Disaster Management Act 2005, in addition to the restrictions already in place. 

1. All theatres, gyms, amusement parks, all pubs, large halls, meeting halls, public places are not allowed to operate.

2. Large shops and malls are not allowed to operate. Grocery, vegetable shops and all other shops are allowed to operate as usual following the COVID-19 precautions. However, grocery stores and grocery stores operating in shopping malls are also not allowed. 

Large stores selling groceries and vegetables, including stand-alone groceries, are allowed to operate without refrigeration. Of these, only 50 customers should be allowed at a time.

3. Beauty salons and salons are not allowed to operate in all corporations and all municipalities, including Chennai Corporation.

4. Only parcel service will be allowed in all restaurants and tea shops. Restaurants and tea shops cannot have dine-in facilities. Customers staying in hotels are required to serve food in the rooms where they stay. It is not allowed to sit and eat in restaurants.

5. All e-commerce services can operate with limited time constraints.

6. Public are not permitted in all places of worship. However, daily pujas/prayers/rituals can be done by the head of the shrine.

7. In view of the increasing incidence of COVID-19 infection, religious festivals and meetings have been banned from 10.4.2021 with the participation of 50 persons if permission has been obtained from the District Collector / Commissioner of Hindu Religious Affairs concerned to hold the festival or if the date of the festival has been fixed. 

At present, this practice has been changed and only temple staff are allowed to attend the ceremony without the participation of the public. New Kudamulku / Festival is not allowed.

8. No more than 50 persons should participate in marriage and marriage related functions.

9. No more than 25 persons may attend funerals and related ceremonies.

10. At least 50 per cent of employees in IT service companies must work from home.

11. All sports coaching associations/groups, including golf and tennis clubs, are not permitted to operate. However, only training for international and national level competitions will be allowed.

12. Persons coming to Tamil Nadu from all the states except Pondicherry, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala will be allowed to enter Tamil Nadu only after showing the details registered on the website http://eregister.tnega.org.

13. All travellers coming to Tamil Nadu by air/ship from abroad will be allowed only after showing the details registered on the website http://eregister.tnega.org when entering Tamil Nadu.

14. As already mandated, in private and government buses, passengers will be allowed to travel in seats only. Standing on buses is not allowed.

15. In rental and taxi vehicles, only three passengers are allowed to travel except for driving and in autos, only two passengers are allowed to travel except for driving. Violators will be prosecuted.

16. Night curfew on Weekdays and Saturday, and full curfew will continue on Sundays in Tamil Nadu.

17. The guidelines issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu Regulations No. 346, dated 18.4.2021 and No. 348, dated 20.4.2021 regarding the Corona General Freeze Activities for Businesses continue without any change.

18. Employees who go to work are asked to wear the identity card issued by their company on their way to and from work.

19. All industry is advised to follow the standard guidelines issued by the Government and to act with complete safety measures.

20. It is mandatory to wear a face mask in public places when going outside. The epidemic can only be controlled if the public cooperates fully with the use of soap at home and at work and at work, wearing face masks outside, adhering to social spaces and going outside unnecessarily, with the full cooperation of the state. 

Also, as soon as symptoms of infection appear, the public should seek medical advice/treatment from the nearest hospital immediately.

If the symptoms occur in the infection name, The Public Shoulder Seat Medical Advice / Treatment Frame The Nearest Hospital Immediate.

The restrictions will come into effect from 26th April 2021.