Unlockdown 1.0: Tamil Nadu Guidelines

On 31 May 2020, the government of Tamil Nadu, following the Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 30 May 2020, has extended the lockdown in the State till 30 June 2020 vide G.O. Ms. No. 262 (Order) pursuant to the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Based on recommendations by expert team of Doctors and Public Health specialists, the State-wide lockdown was being extended by the government from time to time. The previous extension was from 17 May 2020 till 31 May 2020.

The Order provides for further relaxations and restrictions in addition to the G.O. Ms. No. 217 dated 03 May 2020 and the G.O. Ms. No. 245 dated 18 May 2020.

1. Prohibited activities:

The following activities will continue to be prohibited:

  • All religious places/ places of worship;

  • Religious congregations;

  • Tourist travel to Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud districts;

  • Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services except those meant for housing health/ police/ Government officials/ healthcare workers/ stranded persons including tourists and for quarantine facilities;

  • Shopping malls;

  • Schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions etc. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged;

  • All international air travel of passengers except as permitted by MHA;

  • Metro rail and sub-urban rail services;

  • Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. Sports complexes and stadia are permitted to be open without spectators;

  • All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions, other large gatherings and congregations;

  • Inter-State public transport.

2. No activities are permitted in the Containment Zones under the Order.

3. Permitted activities:

(i) In areas falling under the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police (except Containment Zones):

  • IT/ ITEs are permitted to operate with company provided transport at 20% strength subject to a maximum of 40 persons;

  • All Private offices are allowed to function at 50% strength. However, work form home is to be encouraged as much as possible;

  • All showrooms and large format shops (including jewellery and textile shops) except in shopping malls are permitted to operate with 50% staff strength without air conditioning and limiting the number of customers to five at a time to ensure social distancing;

  • Restaurants shall be permitted to function with effect from 8 June 2020 with dine-in facilities with 50% of seating capacity maintaining social distancing. Air conditioning shall not be used;

  • Tea shops are permitted to function with effect from 8 June 2020 with 50% of seating capacity to maintain social distancing;

  • Tea shops and restaurants (parcel alone till 7 June 2020), vegetable shops and provision shops are permitted to function from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.;

  • Liquor retail vending (TASMAC) shops to continue to remain closed until further orders; Rental vehicles and taxis including cab aggregation are permitted with not more than 3 passengers, excluding driver;

  • Autos and cycle rickshaws are permitted with 2 passengers, excluding driver;

  • Barber shops, saloons, spa and beauty parlours are permitted to function, without using air conditioning facility.

(ii) In all areas across the State except for areas under the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police and except in containment zones:

  • All industries are permitted to operate with 100% of employees;

  • IT/ ITEs are permitted to operate at 100% strength with at least 20% working from home;

  • All Private offices are allowed to function at 100% strength. However, work form home is to be encouraged as much as possible;

  • All showrooms and large format shops (including jewellery and textile shops) except in shopping malls are permitted to operate with 50% staff strength without air conditioning and limiting the number of customers to five at a time to ensure social distancing;

  • Restaurants shall be permitted to function with effect from 8 June 2020 with dine-in facilities with 50% of seating capacity maintaining social distancing. Air conditioning shall not be used;

  • Tea shops are permitted to function with effect from 8 June 2020 with 50% of seating capacity to maintain social distancing;

  • Tea shops and restaurants (parcel alone till 7 June 2020), vegetable shops and provision shops are permitted to function from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.;

  • Other shops including liquor retail vending (TASMAC) shops are permitted to function from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.;

  • Delivery of all goods, including non-essentials goods through e-commerce is permitted; Rental vehicles and taxis including cab aggregation are permitted with not more than 3 passengers, excluding driver;

  • Autos and cycle rickshaws are permitted with 2 passengers, excluding driver;

  • Public transport is permitted through Government and Private Buses subject to conditions as prescribed in Annexure I. The State of Tamil Nadu has been divided into 8 different zones for this purpose.

4. Movement of Persons:

  • All inter-district movements within respective zones and intra-district movement within Greater Chennai Police jurisdiction will be permitted without e-pass;

  • Inter-State movement and movement from one zone to another zone shall continue with current pass system;

  • Residents welfare associations/ building societies/ associations shall adopt necessary and appropriate safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 which may include appropriate safeguards and regulations of the entry of outside persons including domestic workers and vendors to their buildings/ complexes;

  • All industrial and commercial establishments shall encourage their employees/ workers to work from home.

The Order also prescribes for the strict adherence of the National Directives for COVID-19 Management, as prescribed by the MHA.