Shops selling provisions, groceries and meat in Tamil Nadu would be allowed to function only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. from Saturday, as part of intensified COVID-19 lockdown measures that will be in place till May 24 morning. They were earlier allowed to remain open between 6 a.m. and 12 noon. Even e-commerce companies, which were allowed to deliver provisions, vegetables and meat, would be allowed to operate only till 10 a.m..
As part of the new measures announced by Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday evening, “e-registration” on https://eregister.tnega.org will be mandatory from 6 a.m. on May 17 for not just entering Tamil Nadu but also for inter and intra-district movement including for emergency purposes such as medical treatment, elderly care, attending weddings and funerals of close relatives.
A senior official told The Hindu : “E-registration must not be confused with e-pass. E-registration is auto-generated based on documentary proof provided.” Whereas in the case of e-pass one had to apply and a government authority would approve, “which we felt is tedious,” the official said explaining why only e-registration was mandated now.
Tea shops would remain closed and platform vendors would not be permitted to carry on business. Earlier street shops dealing with vegetables, flowers and fruits were permitted till noon.
Complete lockdown would be implemented on May 16 and 23 (Sundays).
Allopathic and traditional medical stores, ATMs, petrol and diesel bunks would remain open as usual. E-commerce companies would be allowed to operate between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.. The current “night curfew” between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. would remain in force.
“The general public are requested to buy provisions and vegetables only from shops closer to their vicinity and not from far-off locations. Those attempting otherwise would be prevented,” Mr. Stalin said. He reiterated that people must avoid stepping out unnecessarily and avoid crowding in public places and appealed for cooperation.
'Unavoidable' call
The decision to tighten lockdown restrictions was “unavoidable” and taken based on resolutions adopted at the meeting of legislative parties chaired by him on Thursday and his meetings with senior officials, medical and public health experts on Friday, Mr Stalin said.
Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation and District Collectors have been instructed to ensure there is no crowding and physical distancing is maintained strictly at shops selling fish and meat.
Commissioner of Police Shankar Jiwal ordered for drone surveillance over the city to clamp down on lockdown violators.
