Coronavirus | Tamil Nadu to shut theatres, gyms, shopping malls as fresh restrictions come into effect from April 26

State makes e-pass mandatory and restaurants to offer only takeaway services.

Koyembedu Market traders creating awareness among the public as the case in Chennai are on the rise.

Amid surging COVID-19 cases, the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced more restrictions including mandatory e-registration for those entering the State (except from Puducherry), which would come into effect from 4 a.m. on April 26 (Monday).

Theatres, gyms, all bars, recreation clubs, big format shops, shopping complexes, and malls will not be allowed to operate, while industrial establishments can function as per existing norms. The government has made e-registration mandatory at  http://eregister.tnega.org  for those entering Tamil Nadu including persons from abroad.

The current 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

night curfew and Sunday total lockdown would continue to be in place, according to an official statement.

The statement pointed to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and also expressed concern over the public not following the safetyprotocols.

Auditoriums and meeting halls are not allowed to function, as per the new restrictions. Independent vegetable and grocery stores and departmental stores are allowed to operate without air conditioning and with only 50% footfall at any given point of time.

Beauty parlour, spas, saloons and barber shops are not allowed to operate in Greater Chennai Corporation, municipalities and other Municipal Corporation limits. Only takeaway services would be allowed in restaurants, hotels, mess and tea shops, while hotels and lodges can deliver food only through room service to the customers.

All types of e-commerce activities can function within the permissible time. Public would not be allowed in places of worship, while the rituals can be performed by staff.

The government also changed its norms for temple Kumbhabhisekam events and barred the public from attending it. Consecration can be performed by temple staff. Earlier it had allowed such events which had already been planned, to proceed with a maximum of 50 persons along with employees of the temple and the temple administration by following the necessary protocols and precautions. However, new consecration events will not be allowed.

Not more than 50 persons (as opposed to 100 earlier) would be allowed for marriage functions, while not more than 25 persons (previously 50) would be allowed at funerals.

Operation of golf and tennis clubs, sports academy will not be allowed. However, training for national and international events would be permitted.

The government said 50% staff of Information Technology companies in the State must compulsorily work from home.

It also reiterated that private and government buses can be operated only with seated passengers.

The government also warned of action if the norms for operating rental taxis, cabs and auto rickshaws are violated. Rental taxis and cabs can operate with maximum of three passengers, while auto rickshaws can carry maximum of two passengers, apart from the driver.

Industrial establishments can operate as per the standard operating procedures issued on April 18 and April 20, without any change, the government said, and it also requested employees to carry identity cards while commuting to work.