Amid new cases of coronavirus in the state, the government of Tamil Nadu announced on Tuesday that it will extend the virus-induced lockdown in the state until October 31, but with further relaxations.
However, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami secured further relaxations in the next phase of the lockdown and the guidelines will focus primarily on the containment zones. Essential items and all relaxations already announced under the state unlock guidelines will be in place.
Under the new guidelines, hotels will be able to operate from 6 am to 9 pm. Parcel services will now be allowed until 10pm.
Also, movie shootings can be resumed with 100 people.
Flight services at Chennai Airport will increase from 50 to 100 from October 1.
The ban on suburban electric train traffic will continue.
The School Education department circular that allows students in classes 10, 11 and 12 to go to schools on a voluntary basis to receive guidance from teachers has been suspended.
The decision on opening schools for classes 10 and 12 will be made after consultation with the medical committee, the circular said.
However, theaters, amusement parks, swimming pools, beaches and other social gatherings will remain closed.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu reported 5,546 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the count to 5,91,943, while the death toll rose to 9,453 with 70 deaths.
Active cases stood at 46,281 with 5,501 patients who were discharged from various hospitals and a total of 5,36,209 people were cured, according to the bulletin.
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