Chennai

These include two, both men, with travel history to London, while the other is a 54-year-old man, he tweeted. They have been admitted to the designated hospitals in the city and in Madurai.

Tamil Nadu will be under a lockdown till March 31 from 6 PM on Tuesday to prevent the spread of coronavirus and CrPC section 144 will be invoked for its implementation, Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced.

The announcement came a day after the COVID-19 cases in the state rose to nine and the Centre wanted it to declare a lockdown in three districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Erode where cases of the virus have been reported so far.

Appealing to the people to support the government curbs to prevent spread of the contagion, Palaniswami said it was considering relief for families affected by the situation.

The Chief Minister advised returnees from foreign countries to observe home quarantine voluntarily. If warranted, they should go for testing and proper treatment in government or in notified private hospitals.

Making a statement in the assembly on Monday, he said:

• Barring essential and emergency services, public and private transportation, including cars, taxis, autos and buses, will not function.

• Outlets selling essential items - milk, vegetable, grocery, fish & poultry will continue to function in this period. 

• Employees of private companies and IT firms should be instructed to work from home.

• Restaurants will be allowed to operate 'take away' (parcel/delivery) services. Government-run Amma canteens will operate as usual.

• Only hospitals, firms involved in healthcare will operate.

• Government departments and offices other than those are essential like police, fire and rescue, health, courts and local bodies will not function

• Firms manufacturing essential goods and export companies will to operate with only minimal employees.

• Construction activities, other than essential are banned. Wages for labourers must be paid during this period.

Noting that borders of all districts in the state will be closed under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, he directed district collectors and police commissioners to issue appropriate orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The invocation of the EP Act is to place curbs on the movement of the public and road traffic, he said.

Tamil Nadu had already shut its borders with neighbouring states and announced closure of educational institutions till March 31.

Palaniswami said stern measures were necessitated to effectively implement social distancing and in the wake of Centre's recommendation for preventive measures in 75 districts of the country where positive patients were being treated.

"The district collectors have been advised to take appropriate mitigating measures considering the hurdles for pregnant women and senior citizens," he said. 

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