Chennai observes complete lockdown for the 10th consecutive Sunday

While the entire nation's economy had come to stand still with the steady rise in corona virus spread, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had imposed a nation wide lockdown in March to control the spread of the virus. Though the five-phased lockdown was helpful to contain the pandemic, the economy had sturrered, according to the experts.  Hence the Government was forced to go for 'Unlock' mode for the revival of the economy, amid repeated warnings. There have been three "Unlock" phases since, with the current one set to end on August 31.

With the Central Government's announcement that the easing of the restrictions has been left to the discretion of local governments, the Tamil Nadu Government had also lifted its lock-down partially.

Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami announced an extension in the COVID-19 lockdown across the state till the midnight of August 31. The extended lockdown had certain relaxations, including allowing private establishments to scale up workforce and permitting dine-in services in hotels and restaurants, TASMAC and the recent one was allowing the opening of all places of worship falling under corporation or civic body limits in cities, earning less than Rs.10,000 per annum can re-open starting August 10. However the state went under complete lockdown on Sundays.

Amid the spike in coronavirus cases, Tamil Nadu  Government extended the lockdown across the state till August 31 midnight, with certain relaxations. However, a complete lockdown is observed on all Sundays until August 31.

While the complete lockdown on Sundays was applied to other districts from  the month of July, the state capital has been observing it from 21st of June, with this Sunday (August 23) being the 10th consecutive lock-down Sunday.

Chennai police said except vehicles meant for milk distribution and those used for medical, emergency and funeral purposes, no other private vehicles would be allowed to ply on roads while vehicles used for purposes other than these would be detained.

Tamil Nadu recorded 5,980 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, of which 23 were imported from several other States and countries. However, the day’s toll reduced significantly as only 80 deaths were reported across the State. Of the 5,980 cases reported on Saturday, 1,294 were in Chennai.