NEW DELHI, Jul 11 (NNN-PTI) – The local government in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, yesterday extended the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown until Jul 19, with certain relaxations, officials said.
According to the new order, shops can remain open for an hour longer and need to shut only by 9:00 p.m. local time.
“Restaurants, tea shops, bakeries, roadside eateries and confectionery shops can stay open till 9:00 p.m. (local time) with 50 percent customers. These places will need to comply with COVID-19 protocols, such as placing hand sanitizers outside, and ensuring that people in queues follow social distancing. Air-conditioned outlets must have adequate ventilation, with doors and windows open,” a local government official said.
The official said, up to 50 people can attend weddings and only 20 can attend funerals.
However, schools, colleges, bars, theatres, swimming pools and zoos will remain shut. Cultural and political events with public participation cannot be held.
“Though the state has not re-started inter-state buses, it decided to resume bus services to neighbouring Puducherry,” the official said.
Tamil Nadu reported 2,914 fresh COVID-19 cases and 49 related deaths yesterday. It is among the top five Indian states that have registered maximum daily cases.– NNN-PTI
