Chennai: For the first time in 2021 and after a gap of seven months, Tamil Nadu on Sunday came under a complete lockdown tomorrow, as part of the government’s decision to implement full curfew on Sundays in view of the rapid increase in corona positive cases.
Roads wore a deserted look, all shops, shopping malls and commercial establishments were closed, vehicles were off the roads as a bandh-like situation prevailed as Tamil Nadu observed total lockdown to prevent spread of the second wave of the corona virus.
Police sources said special teams from police and other departments have been formed to monitor the situation across the State and to penalise the violators.
More than 15,000 police personnel were deployed in Chennai city to prevent people from venturing out of their homes.
All flyovers and subways were closed by putting up barricades. However, subsidised Amma Canteens functioned as usual as it was the only source of food for thousands of migrant workers.
Barricades were erected on all arterial roads and at vantage installations, besides check posts were also put up to prevent unnecessary movement of people.
The government, while announcing total shut down on Sundays however, said take away services from hotels and restaurants are permitted from 0600 hrs to 1000 hrs, 1200 hrs to 1500 hrs and 1800 hrs to 2100 hrs.
Food delivery services by e-commerce platforms like swiggy and zomato were also allowed to operate during this period. Other e-commerce firms are not allowed to operate on Sunday, officials said.
All meat shops, fish markets, vegetable shops, cinema theatres, shopping malls and commercial establishments were shut today.
Already night curfew was imposed in the State from April 20 from 2200 hrs to 0400 hrs. This meant that the State is now under total lockdown for 30 hrs continuously that started at 10.00 PM last night till 04.00 AM tomorrow.
Weddings, which were already fixed, were conducted with a maximum of 100 persons and funerals with a maximum of 50 persons by following the COVID-19 protocols.
Temple Kumbhabhisekam (consecration of temples) events which have already been planned is allowed with a maximum of 50 general public with employees of the temple and the temple administration by following the necessary protocols.
However, the government has announced fresh restrictions from tomorrow to prevent the virus spread, while stating that the night curfew and Sunday lockdowns will continue.
