COVID-19 - Infection prevention and control - Extending restrictions in the territorial jurisdictions of the State of Tamil Nadu
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O. (Ms.) Nos. 247, 248, 249 and 250, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-II), dated 23 May 2020, to amend COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and notify containment zones. The notifications permit certain auto rickshaw, cycle rickshaw and personal care business operations subject to conditions, and identify 1,143 containment zones across 30 districts as at 22 May 2020.
What the notifications do
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department notifications form part of the COVID-19 controls under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. G.O. (Ms.) Nos. 247, 248 and 249 amend G.O. (Ms.) No. 245, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-II) Department, dated 18 May 2020. G.O. (Ms.) No. 250 notifies containment zones for controlling coronavirus.
The wider State lockdown had been extended from 17 May 2020 to 31 May 2020, with State-specific restrictions and relaxations.
Transport changes
G.O. (Ms.) No. 247 permits auto rickshaws across Tamil Nadu, except in areas under the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police and in containment areas.
- Operating hours are 7 AM to 7 PM.
- Only one passenger and the driver are allowed.
- The vehicle must be sanitised three times a day.
- The driver and passenger must wear masks.
- The driver must provide sanitiser, maintain hygiene and wash hands frequently with soap.
G.O. (Ms.) No. 248 applies similar conditions to cycle rickshaws and their pullers. Only one passenger is permitted, and operations are excluded from Greater Chennai Police areas and containment areas. Pullers must also drink water frequently and cover their heads because of the heat wave.
Personal care businesses
G.O. (Ms.) No. 249, effective from 24 May 2020, permits barber shops, salons, spas and beauty parlours to operate from 7 AM to 7 PM across the State, except in containment zones and areas under Greater Chennai Police jurisdiction.
- Workers from containment zones cannot be employed.
- Workers with fever, cold or cough symptoms cannot work.
- Workers and customers must follow social distancing and wear face masks.
- Businesses must provide sanitiser and ensure frequent handwashing.
- Workplaces must be sanitised five times a day.
- Air conditioning must not be used.
Containment zones and relevance to property users
G.O. (Ms.) No. 250 records 1,143 containment zones across 30 districts as at 22 May 2020. The accompanying list identifies zones by district, location and PIN code. A buyer, owner, tenant or professional dealing with premises in a listed location would need to account for the operational restrictions applying to containment areas during the notified lockdown period.
The notification notes that containment had been completed in Sivagangai, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Thiruvarur, Coimbatore and Nilgiris.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Could auto rickshaws operate in a containment area?
No. G.O. (Ms.) No. 247 prohibited auto rickshaws from operating inside containment areas. It also excluded areas under the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police.
Could salons and barber shops open throughout Tamil Nadu?
They could operate from 7 AM to 7 PM from 24 May 2020, except in containment zones and areas under the jurisdiction of Greater Chennai Police. Hygiene, masking, distancing and workplace sanitisation conditions applied.
How can I tell whether a location was a notified containment zone?
G.O. (Ms.) No. 250 lists containment zones by district, location and PIN code as at 22 May 2020. It reports a total of 1,143 zones across 30 districts.
Did the notifications apply beyond 31 May 2020?
The source states that the State-wide lockdown had been extended until 31 May 2020. It does not state whether these arrangements continued after that date.
