Coronavirus crisis | Tamil Nadu government's Lockdown 5.0 relaxations

Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced the resumption of public transport services along with orders for more employees at the workplace with the ongoing lockdown in the state now extended to June 30; a day after the Centre had announced 'Unlock 1'. Described to be a graded exit plan from the lockdown, Unlock 1 will now allow the reopening of places of religious worship including many other services. Having said that, the state government as per its new guidelines released today will continue with its ban on religious places, theatres, gyms and educational institutions.

As per the latest guidelines that will roll into effect from June 1, there will be a resumption in public transport, but with reduced services within districts. Buses will continue to not be operational in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet districts as they have been recording the most number of coronavirus cases in the state. Likewise, the ban on inter-state transport will as well continue.

Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in his latest guidelines also said that Metro rail services will continue to remain suspended while taxis and autos have been given authorization to carry out operations. Excluding those in containment zones, all showrooms and big shops including jewellery and textiles are permitted to operate with 50 percent staff. Restaurants have been granted permission to resume their businesses as before from June 8 and aree required to adhere to provide online takeaway services until then. Similarly, tea shops are allowed to operate from June 8 with 50 percent occupancy.

Chennai, the most-affected district in the state, will see taxis and auto rickshaws operating without any e-pass in non-containment zones. Salons and parlours in Chennai will be allowed to carry out operations without air conditioning, subject to guidelines to be issued. IT companies in the city have been permitted to carry out work with a 20 percent workforce with a maximum of 40 people.

As for IT companies, business enterprises and industries in non-containment zones outside Chennai, operations can resume at full strength with 100 percent employees. All e-commerce activities including non-essential items will be permitted outside Chennai from tomorrow. Liquor shops outside Chennai will be operational from 10 AM to 8 PM, the new order states. Tourism in Ooty, Kodaikkanal and Yercaud will continue to remain shut off for tourists. Prohibitory orders will continue to be strictly implemented across the state while domestic help and outside vendors will need to adhere to the guidelines brought into effect in residential colonies.