17 industrial estates in TN to begin work with 25 per cent staff from today

“A total 17 industrial estates that are present outside the containment zones, including in Guindy and Ambattur can function from Monday with 25 per cent work force. However, workers from containment zones are not allowed to go to work,” stated a government release. Along with granting permission, Tamil Nadu has also issued stringent guidelines for operating the industrial estates.

A few rules to be followed - workplaces should be sanitised every morning and every evening and workers should wash their hands periodically. The toilets should be cleaned at least once in two hours. “All workers should be subjected to thermal scanning every morning when they report for work. They should also be made to wear masks and social distancing should be ensured,” the release added. Besides, employees above 55 years aren’t allowed to report for work. The release also added that when a worker exhibits any symptom, he or she should immediately be stopped from working.

The government has asked all industrial units to strictly adhere to the SOPs to support it in the fight against COVID-19.

Since the lockdown was announced to prevent spread of coronavirus from March 24, all industrial operations in the state were shut down owing to which many lost their livelihood and the economy of the state crumbled. Though in the subsequent lockdown extensions, relaxations were provided for industries in rural areas, the industrial clusters in Chennai were not allowed to function.