TN CM extends lockdown till Apr 30, announces doles for people

Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday announced extension of the lockdown in Tamil Nadu till April 30 in line with states like Odisha and Telangana and said the move was in accordance with the recommendations of medical and public health experts.

In view of the continuation of curbs, rice ration card holders will get essential commodities, including rice, toor dhal, sugar and cooking oil free of cost for the month of May too, he said.

Also, families of workers in the construction and unorganised sectors will get Rs 1,000 as finanicial asssistance for the second time, he said.

Migrant workers will get 15 kg of rice, a kg each of toor dhal and cooking oil for May as well, the Chief Minister said.

Palaniswami said the government had offered Rs 1,000 assistance for rice ration card holders, apart from several other beneficiary categories, including construction workers for the current month.

Also, beneficiaries were provided essential commodities free of cost in ration shops.

In an official release, Palaniswami said the rate of infection in the state has been reined in since the lockdown was implemented vigorously and if the curbs were eased, it might lead to a spurt in spread of the contagion.

While Tamil Nadu as on Sunday had 1,075 COVID-19 positive cases, he said all restrictions currently in place will continue to be on.

Shops selling essential commodities alone are allowed to be open between 6 AM and 1 PM. Also, select sectors like pharmaceutial manufacturing are permitted to work with riders.

The Chief Minister clarified that only take away facilities will continue to be allowed in restaurants and bakeries (from 6 am to 1 pm).

Pointing out that he had favoured prolonging the curbs till April end in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday via a video link, he said Chief Ministers of many other states had also batted for extending the restrictions.

Based on the deliberations at the meeting and in tune with the recommendations of an expert committee, public health experts and the World Health Organisation, and as per a Cabinet decision, the "lockdown is extended till April 30 as per CrPc and the Disaster Management Act 2005," he said.

A State committee of medical experts had days ago recommended to Palaniswami to extend curbs beyond April 14.

The government has also made arrangements for people to get their doubts on coronavirus cleared through 'telemedicine' facility in Chennai Corporation areas, the Chief Minister said and appealed to people to cooperate with the government by toeing curbs, including social distancing.