CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday extended the existing lockdown till January 10 and banned physical classes for classes I to VIII till then. It has barred playschools and nursery schools from functioning.
In view of the upcoming festival season and following advice from experts that crowding will lead to spread of the virus, the government announced a few more restrictions. The restrictions were announced after chief minister M K Stalin held a review meeting in view of the increasing number of Covid cases and the threat of the Omicron variant.
It has postponed exhibitions and book fairs hinting that the scheduled Chennai Book Fair will have to be postponed.
Malls, theatres, showrooms, amusement parks, gyms, textiles, beauty parlours and restaurants will be allowed to function only with 50% of capacity. Only 50% of the people should use dine-in at a time in restaurants, lodges, bakeries and others.
The existing restrictions will continue for places of worship. The restrictions on social, cultural and political meetings will continue.
A maximum of only 100 people will be allowed for marriages, and only 50 people will be allowed for funerals.
The government also says that buses should be operated only with seating capacity while metro rail should allow only 50% of the people to be seated.
Covid-19 protocols should be followed while using open air playgrounds and parks while there should be only 50% spectators in stadiums and for sporting events.
The order also stresses that shops should follow guidelines and should keep sanitisers at the entry points, staff and customers should wear masks and staff in commercial establishments should be vaccinated. Airconditioning should be avoided on such premises.
The government decided to form groups to carry out door-to-door monitoring in containment zones to prevent the spread of infection while essential services alone will be allowed in containment zones.
In view of the upcoming festival season and following advice from experts that crowding will lead to spread of the virus, the government announced a few more restrictions. The restrictions were announced after chief minister M K Stalin held a review meeting in view of the increasing number of Covid cases and the threat of the Omicron variant.
It has postponed exhibitions and book fairs hinting that the scheduled Chennai Book Fair will have to be postponed.
Malls, theatres, showrooms, amusement parks, gyms, textiles, beauty parlours and restaurants will be allowed to function only with 50% of capacity. Only 50% of the people should use dine-in at a time in restaurants, lodges, bakeries and others.
The existing restrictions will continue for places of worship. The restrictions on social, cultural and political meetings will continue.
A maximum of only 100 people will be allowed for marriages, and only 50 people will be allowed for funerals.
The government also says that buses should be operated only with seating capacity while metro rail should allow only 50% of the people to be seated.
Covid-19 protocols should be followed while using open air playgrounds and parks while there should be only 50% spectators in stadiums and for sporting events.
The order also stresses that shops should follow guidelines and should keep sanitisers at the entry points, staff and customers should wear masks and staff in commercial establishments should be vaccinated. Airconditioning should be avoided on such premises.
The government decided to form groups to carry out door-to-door monitoring in containment zones to prevent the spread of infection while essential services alone will be allowed in containment zones.
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