G.O. Ms. No. 245, COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control, 2020

What the notification governed

G.O. Ms. No. 245, issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Revenue and Disaster Management Department on 18 May 2020, governed movement, workplaces, businesses, public gatherings and other activities during the statewide lockdown from 17 May 2020 to 31 May 2020. It applied across Tamil Nadu, with different restrictions for specified districts, containment zones and areas under the Greater Chennai Police.

For property owners, occupiers and businesses, the practical effects concerned access to premises, staffing, maintenance, workplace safety and permitted business operations during the lockdown period.

Activities that remained prohibited

G.O. Ms. No. 245 continued prohibitions including:

• Most domestic and international passenger air travel, subject to stated exceptions.
• Schools, colleges and training or coaching institutions, while allowing online and distance learning.
• Most hotels and hospitality services, subject to specified accommodation and canteen exceptions.
• Cinema halls, malls, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and similar gathering places.
• Social, political, sporting, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious gatherings.
• Public access to religious places and places of worship.
• Interstate public transport.
• Urban barber shops, salons, spas and beauty parlours.
• Air-conditioned jewellery and clothing showrooms and air-conditioned departmental stores.

Containment zones permitted no activity during the lockdown period. Tourist travel to the Nilgiris District, Kodaikanal and Yercaud was prohibited.

Public and workplace requirements

G.O. Ms. No. 245 required face coverings in public places and workplaces, social distancing, and customer spacing of at least six feet in shops. Shops could not admit more than five persons.

Workplaces were directed to use staggered hours, thermal scanning, handwashing facilities, sanitiser and frequent sanitisation. Employers were expected, on a best effort basis, to ensure that employees with compatible mobile phones installed Aarogya Setu.

Marriage gatherings were limited to 50 guests and funeral or last rites gatherings to 20 persons. Assemblies of more than five persons in public places were not allowed while the lockdown continued.

District relaxations

G.O. Ms. No. 245 allowed movement without a Tamil Nadu e-pass within 25 listed districts, but only encouraged travel for essential services and permitted work. Interdistrict movement continued to require a Tamil Nadu e-pass.

The 12 listed districts, including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu, continued under existing restrictions without new relaxations. Taxi and auto rickshaw travel for urgent medical treatment was permitted there with a Tamil Nadu e-pass.