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Tamil Nadu announced on Saturday the easing of a series of restrictions beginning May 11, allowing 33% of the workforce to return to offices in Chennai, 24×7 gasoline pumps on state and central roads, and the opening of stores. of tea (except those in containment zones) across the state, even as the government moved the Supreme Court against the Madras superior court order on Friday to close all state-run liquor outlets.
The state, which registered 600 new cases on Friday, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases to 6009, was hit by another increase in cases after a wholesale vegetable and fruit market in Chennai was declared a spot. critical. At least 1,589 positive cases are now linked to the Koyembedu market group.
However, the cabinet met on May 2 and discussed ways in which activities can resume in the state under the guilt lines offered by the union ministry of internal affairs.
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Starting Monday, stores that sell essentials like vegetables and groceries will open from 6 am to 7 pm within the Chennai Corporation’s boundaries, while they will be allowed to remain open from 10 am to 7 pm in the rest of the state. Similarly, independent and neighborhood stores will remain open from 10:30 a.m. at 6 p.m. in Chennai, and from 10 a.m. at 7 p.m. in the rest of the state. Tea shops can operate in all parts of the state except within the containment zones, however, customers will not be allowed to stay inside the shops. Gasoline pumps in the Chennai region will be open from 6 am to 6 pm; but they will operate 24X7 on central and state highways. Private offices in the Chennai region can operate with a 33% workforce from 10.30 a.m. at 6 p.m. The government order did not specify whether public transportation would be allowed in the state, but added that all the restrictions and exemptions specified above would continue.
The state has categorized 12 districts, including Chennai, as red zones, while the remaining 26 are orange zones.
The state had announced the opening of liquor stores run by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), a government firm that sells alcohol in the state, in all districts except Chennai on Thursday. A strong influx was observed in most places with people standing in meandering lines, even when the move to allow liquor to be sold was criticized by opposition parties and others, who raised fears that it would lead to further spread of the new coronavirus.
However, a bank in the superior court division noted the long lines and the gathering of large crowds outside the liquor stores, and ordered the closure of alcohol outlets in Tamil Nadu until the closure was lifted. The court noted that some 3,850 stores were opened across the state and a record sale of Rs 175 crore was made.
“It is also reported that the number of police personnel infected with Covid-19 disease is also increasing and deploying to control overcrowded groceries before TASMAC stores also put their lives at risk, in addition to preventing them from carrying out their duties in places where their services are really required, ”the High Court had observed.
TASMAC filed the Supreme Court on Saturday challenging the order to close state alcoholic beverage stores because there was a total violation of the guidelines aimed at containing the Covid-19 pandemic.
He witnessed in most places with people standing in meandering lines, even when the move to allow liquor sales was criticized by opposition parties and others, who raised fears that it would lead to further spread of the new coronavirus.
However, a bank in the superior court division noted the long lines and the gathering of large crowds outside the liquor stores, and ordered the closure of alcohol outlets in Tamil Nadu until the closure was lifted. The court noted that some 3,850 stores were opened across the state and a record sale of Rs 175 crore was made.
“It is also reported that the number of police personnel infected with Covid-19 disease is also increasing and deploying to control overcrowded groceries before TASMAC stores also put their lives at risk, in addition to preventing them from carrying out their duties in places where their services are really required, ”the High Court had observed.
TASMAC filed the Supreme Court on Saturday challenging the order to close state alcoholic beverage stores because there was a total violation of the guidelines aimed at containing the Covid-19 pandemic.
(With contributions from agencies)
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