With the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Tamil Nadu government has announced the extension of lockdown till June 30. They have also offered certain relaxations for districts other than Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu from Monday (June 1).
The Tamil Nadu government has also issued detailed guidelines on the lockdown which should be followed in the state till June 30. The guidelines state that, all private companies, including large factories and plants, outside Chennai city can function with full staff strength, while companies within the city can work with 50 per cent staff.
Also, all educational institutions, places of worship, parks, gyms, swimming pools, malls, cinema halls and bars will be closed till June 30.
As per the relaxed norms, operation of public buses in specified areas have been permitted. However, an e-pass and quarantine norms for those travelling between zones and between the states will continue.
As per a New Indian Express report, a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s office stated that public buses will be operational in the state from June 1. The state government has also divided Tamil Nadu into eight zones.
Zone 1 - Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Erode, Tiruppur, Karur, Salem and Namakkal.
Zone 2 - Dharmapuri, Vellore, Thirupattur, Ranipet and Krishnagiri.
Zone 3 - Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai, Cuddalore and Kallakurichi. Zone 4 - Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Tiruchy, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Pudukottai.
Zone 5 - Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, SIvagangai and Ramanathapuram.
Zone 6 - Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi.
Zone 7 - Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Chengalpattu.
Zone 8 - Areas under the Chennai police limits.
The press release further states that the government will operate 50 percent of the buses in all the zones except zones 7 and 8, while in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts, there will be a complete ban on operating buses.
But in the rest of the state, private buses will also be operated on routes approved by the government only. For people travelling via private vehicles within the zones, e-passes are not necessary.
For people travelling across Tamil Nadu (including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Chengalpattu), except in containment zones, cabs, taxis, autos and cycle rickshaws can operate, The New Indian Express further reported.
While travelling in cabs and taxis, three passengers will be allowed to travel while two passengers (excluding the driver) will be permitted to travel in autos and e-pass will not be necessary for travel within the zones. While those who travel from one zone to another, e-pass is compulsory.
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