People don't understand gravity of coronavirus contagion, rues TN CM

He said crowding at vegetables shops in major cities like Chennai, Coimbatore and others is a major issue, adding TV shows the huge death toll due to Covid-19 in several foreign countries when the people did not follow the social distancing.

Later people realised the importance of the following the guidelines and now the number of people getting infected has come down, he said.

Palaniswami, however, rued that in Tamil Nadu, people are not following the preventive measures.

He said the coronavirus is in the beginning stages in the state and the spread can be curtailed if people follow the guidelines.

Meanwhile, the government banned retail sales of vegetables fruits and flowers at Koyambedu market here.

Retail sales of vegetables and fruits will be allowed at play grounds and bus stations, it said, as it also ordered shifting of the fruits and flowers market to Madhavaram bus stand until further orders.

Sale of vegetables and other items for retailers will be allowed starting from early morning till 7.30 a.m., the government said.