With partial lockdown implemented until January 10, CM M K Stalin announced a new set of Covid regulations to be followed owing to a rising number of cases.
Coimbatore: In Tamil Nadu, the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management, Government Order No.3 to control the spread of Coronavirus infections is in force with relaxations until 10.1.2022. Globally, the variants of Covid-19 seem to be on the rise in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.
In India, states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, New Delhi, Kerala and Karnataka are now witnessing an increase in Covid cases. Following this, various restrictions have been imposed in West Bengal, New Delhi, Kerala and Karnataka to control the rapidly-spreading infection.
In Tamil Nadu, quick action was taken by the Chief Minister and the Health Department to curb the pandemic which had declined drastically to 275 cases as on 27.12.2021. But there were 1728 Covid cases as on 3.1.2022 in Tamil Nadu mainly due to non-observance of Covid precautions in public places.
A consultative meeting was held on 4.1.2022 under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and it has been reported that medical experts have warned that failure to strengthen measures to curb the spread of the infections would lead to an increase of fresh cases of Covid.
Minister M Subramanian, Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Chairman of the Coronavirus Management Committee R Poornalingam (retired) and senior officials were present at the meeting.
In order to prevent the spread of Covid infections in Tamil Nadu, the following restrictions have been imposed in the interest of the general public in view of the spread of the Omicron variant and in the interest of the general public.
1) Curfew will be enforced across Tamil Nadu from 10 pm to 5 am on weekdays from 6.1.2022. All shopping malls, businesses, shops, restaurants etc. are not allowed to operate at this time. However, only the following essential functions will be allowed during this night curfew.
- Public and private bus services within the State.
- Interstate public / private bus services
- Relevant transport companies must ensure compliance with wearing of masks, body temperature testing and avoidance of congestion. The administration of the relevant transport company must ensure that both the driver and the operator have been vaccinated with both doses of the Covid vaccine.
- Essential functions such as milk distribution, daily newspaper distribution, hospitals, medical laboratories, pharmacies, ambulance and ambulance services, ATMs, trucks and fuel vehicles (Petrol, Diesel & LPG) are allowed at night.
- Petrol / Diesel Bunks will be allowed to operate 24 hours a day.
- Manufacturing factories, companies including IT service providers will be allowed to operate. Employees going to work must have an identity card issued by the relevant companies. However, the relevant companies are requested to advise the employees of the IT companies to work from home.
2) A complete curfew will be imposed in Tamil Nadu on Sunday 9-1-2022. However, essential services such as medical services, pharmacies, milk distribution, ATMs, freight transport and petrol and diesel supply will be allowed to operate.
- Public transport and metro rail will not run.
- During the complete curfew on 9-1-2022, only parcel services in restaurants will be allowed from 7 am to 10 pm. Food delivery, e-commerce companies will be allowed to operate only during the above hours. Other e-commerce companies are not allowed to function.
- On weekdays from 9-1-2022, from 10 pm to 5 am, you will be allowed to use your own and rental vehicles to travel by air, train and bus to the airport, train and bus stations. While travelling, you will need to keep a ticket.
Other restrictions
1) Kindergartens, playschools and nursery schools (LKG, UKG) are not permitted to operate, except in kindergartens (Creche).
2) In all schools, offline classes for Classes 1 to 9 is prohibited.
3) Offline classes will be held for Classes 10, 11 and 12 for the purpose of preparing students appearing for board examination.
4) Apart from Government and private medical colleges, vocational training centers and all other colleges will remain closed till January 20.
5) Training and Coaching Centers are prohibited from operating.
6) Conducting exhibitions and book exhibitions are currently postponed.
7) Seats in public buses and suburban trains should have only 50 percent occupancy by passengers.
8) Only 50 percent of the seats on Metro trains can be occupied.
9) All Government and privately-held Pongal and art festival celebrations to be postponed.
10) All Amusement / Amusement Parks (Entertainment Parks / Amusement Parks) are banned from operating.
11) Only walking is allowed on all beaches.
12) Public will not be allowed to gather in all places of worship on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
13) The current ban on public gatherings such as social, cultural and political gatherings will continue.
14) District Collectors and the local bodies concerned should take steps to set up fish and vegetable markets at more than one place to avoid public crowding, especially on weekends.
15) The Department of Transport and the concerned local bodies are advised to take appropriate action to divide the existing buses from the existing integrated bus stands by zone and operate the buses from different places.
16) Employees, owners and all those working in shops, businesses, private companies, shopping malls, theaters, all service sectors, etc. must be vaccinated with both doses of the Covid vaccine.
17) Employees of Government and local bodies must be vaccinated by 9.1.2022 and submit the relevant certificate to the relevant office.
18) Those who work in factories during the curfew should keep their office ID card and certificate of vaccination with them when they go to work at night.
The following activities, which are already permitted, will be allowed under curfew:
1) Only 50 percent of customers will be allowed to sit and dine in restaurants, hotels, apartment public places, hostels and lodges.
2) Marriage and marriage-related events will be allowed to be held only with a maximum of 100 persons.
3) No more than 50 persons will be allowed in case of death.
4) Owners of clothing stores and jewellery stores are requested to ensure that no more than 50 percent of customers are present at the store.
5) Gymnasiums, sports and restaurants in clubs will be allowed to operate with up to 50 percent of the customers at a time.
6) Gymnasiums and yoga training centers will be allowed to operate with up to 50 percent of clients at a time.
7) In all theaters (Multiplex / Cinemas / Theaters), the maximum number of seats will be allowed to operate with a maximum of 50 percent of the audience.
8) Sports competitions will be allowed to be held in open outdoor playgrounds following standard guidelines.
9) Training will be allowed in indoor stadiums following standard guidelines and with 50 percent spectators playing sports.
1௦) Events such as seminars, music, drama, etc. held in all indoor venues will be allowed to be conducted with a maximum of 50 percent of the audience following standard guidelines.
11) Beauty parlours, salons and spas will be allowed to operate with 50 percent of the customers at a time.
Other restrictions will continue to be implemented.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M K Stalin implored the public and business establishments saying, "I kindly request those who have not yet been vaccinated to be vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated with the first dose and those who have not been vaccinated with the second dose to be vaccinated immediately. Hand sanitizer with dispenser must be placed at the entrance of the shop for the use of the customers and their body temperatures must be tested with 'thermal screening.'
I request the management concerned to ensure that the employees and customers of the shops wear the masks. In case of misconduct, legal action will be taken. Owners and employees in shopping malls and shops must have proof of vaccination. All stores are kindly requested to avoid air conditioning and to comply with social distancing when admitting customers."