TN Announces Intense Lockdown In Chennai, Other Areas From June 19-30

Chennai: Chennai and parts of three other districts will switch back to full lockdown mode from June 19 to 30.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced on Monday that the fresh 12-day intense lockdown, starting on Friday, will cover areas of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts, under Metropolitan Chennai Police limits.

The state cabinet took the decision after a meeting on Monday, when the chief minister and his colleagues took the views of health experts.

There has been a huge spike in coronavirus positive cases in Tamil Nadu during the past week. Over 1,900 fresh COVID-19 cases have been reported daily for the past three days. The total number of cases in the state is 44,661 till date, though the number of deaths has been relatively low (435).

There will be exemptions for hospitals, diagnostic labs, pharmacies, ambulance and hearse vans during the upcoming lockdown, but movement of taxis, auto rickshaws, and other private vehicles will be banned except for medical emergencies.

Shops selling essential items will be open from 6 am to 2 pm, the state government informed.

The state and Central government offices will work with 33% work force.