Chennai: As the COVID daily caseload graph continued
to dip in several districts, yet another week long extended lockdown
began on Monday with more relaxations that included re-opening of
state-owned Tasmac liquor outlets after a gap of more than a month.
However, in 11 of the 38 districts where the caseload was on the
higher side, minor relaxations came into force, even as the lockdown
was extended in these districts.
The lockdown, which was implemented on May 10 was being extended
by every week to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
In a statement here, Chief Minister M K Stalin said the decision to extend
the lockdown was taken based on the discussions he had with health and
medical experts after reviewing the situation district-wise to prevent spread
of the virus and save the precious lives of the people.
While Chennai, northern and southern districts where the cases have come
down, the extended lockdown began with more relaxations, in 11 districts–
Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur,
Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai–the week opened with minor
relaxations in view of the higher caseload.
In these 11 districts, house-keeping services, electricians, plumbers,
motor technicians and carpenters were allowed to serve at the doorsteps
from 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs with e-registration.
Apart from this, cycle and two-wheeler service centres and auto spare
parts and mechanic shops, two and four-wheeler service centres, started
functioning from 0900 hrs to 1400 hrs, apart from autos, cabs and taxis
with e-registration.
In the remaining 27 districts, where the cases have shown a declining
trend, the government announced more relaxations, life opened up with
new normal as TASMAC liquor shops opened at 1000 hrs and would
function till 1700 hrs.
Tea shops too were opened by allowing only parcel service.
The government also allowed sweets and savoury shops to function
from today.
The government’s decision to allow opening of tea shops from tomorrow
comes in backdrop of widespread criticism for allowing state-owned
Tasmac liquor outlets to open from, but not allowing tea shops to function.
The government said it was allowing tea shops to operate based on the
feedback received from various quarters.
?There is no permission for people to drink tea at the shops. People will
have to bring containers to take parcels and buy tea,? the release said.
The government also granted permission for e-seva centres to function
to enable people to get certificates and other services, besides allowing
construction firms with 50 per cent staff to enable them to provide salaries,
pay bills for purchase of construction materials and for necessary business
works.
Beauty parlours, saloons and spas without AC facility also started
functioning with 50 per cent capacity, opening, besides government
parks and plyagrounds maintained by local bodies were opened from
0600 hrs to 0900 hrs for the beneift morning walkers and joggers.
Even shops and service centres dealing with home appliances like
mixie, grinder, TV too re-opened along with shops selling mobile
phones.
However, public and private transport services, shopping complexes,
malls, continued to remain shut across the State.