Tamil Nadu Extends Lockdown Till May 31; Shops Open Till 9 pm Today & Tomorrow

Mumbai: The lockdown in Tamil Nadu will be extended for another week from 24 May to 31 May. Chief Minister MK Stalin made the announcement on Saturday after a meeting with an expert panel of the state government. Tamil Nadu has a lockdown since May 10.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccination For Youth Halted In Delhi From Today: Kejriwal

There will be no relaxation in the extension of lockdown, during which only emergency services will be allowed to work. Grocery stores will be closed during the week beginning May 24.

Also Read: Ramdev Says ‘Lakhs Died Due To Allopathic Medicines’, IMA Demands Action Against Him

However, shops will be allowed to be open until 9 pm on 22 May and 23 May so that people can stock up for the week-long total lockdown. Public transport will also be allowed to operate during weekends.

Also Read: Around 850 Million Doses Of Sputnik V To Be Produced In India

According to a press statement issued by the Chief Minister’s office, during the extended lockdown only the following activities will be permitted:

1. Pharmacies, country-medicine shops and veterinary pharmacies.
2. Distribution of milk, drinking water and newspapers.
3. Vegetables and fruits will be available to people on vehicles under the auspices of the state horticulture department.
4. Only essential departments will function in the Secretariat and other district administration offices.
5. E-commerce is allowed between 8 am and 6 pm.
6. No changes in the existing timings for restaurants and related delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato.
7. Petrol pumps.
8. ATMs
9. Movement of agricultural inputs and produce.
10. Goods vehicles are allowed to ply.
11. Inter-district travel is allowed by e-registration only for emergency medical purposes and deaths.
12. No need for e-registration to travel within the district for emergency medical purposes.

As of Saturday, shops selling essential commodities such as vegetables, the provision in Tamil Nadu are allowed to operate only between 6 am and 10 am from Monday to Saturday. There is a restriction on food in services in restaurants and only parcel services are allowed, that too within a specific time. Tea shops and other shops are not allowed to function. Public transport is also non-operational except for essential services personnel and e-registration has been made mandatory to travel within districts in Tamil Nadu.

On Friday, Tamil Nadu reported 36,184 new COVID-19 cases and 467 deaths. The state had tested 1,74,112 samples on Friday. The number of persons undergoing treatment for COVID-19 as of Friday evening in Tamil Nadu is 2,74,629.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like us on Facebook for the latest updates and interesting stories.