COVID-19, Lockdown extended in the territorial jurisdictions of the State of Tamil Nadu until further orders with existing guidelines and relaxations under the Disaster Management Act, 2005
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, issued G.O. Ms. No. 361, Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.IV), dated 29th April 2021, extending the statewide COVID-19 lockdown until further orders and continuing night curfew, Sunday lockdown and activity restrictions. It also modifies the earlier protocol for Kudamuzhukku ceremonies by excluding the general public and allowing only temple employees to participate.
Purpose and scope
G.O. Ms. No. 361, Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.IV), dated 29th April 2021, was issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It governs temporary COVID-19 controls on movement, transport, businesses, workplaces, worship and gatherings across Tamil Nadu. It does not set out rules concerning land ownership, registration, planning or development.
Who was affected
G.O. Ms. No. 361 applied across Tamil Nadu and affected residents, travellers, transport operators, shops, restaurants, industries, religious places and event organisers. Property owners and occupiers were affected where commercial premises, malls, theatres, gyms, salons, restaurants or places of worship were required to close or restrict operations.
Main restrictions
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department imposed the following controls until further orders:
- Night curfew continued throughout Tamil Nadu from 10.00 P.M. to 4.00 A.M.
- Private and public buses, autos, taxis and private vehicles were generally not permitted during night curfew.
- Complete lockdown applied throughout Tamil Nadu on Sundays, subject to listed permitted services and movements.
- Meat and fish stalls were required to close on Saturdays. Shops, markets, theatres and malls were required to close during Sunday lockdown.
- Restaurants, hotels, messes and tea shops could provide takeaway food only. Dine-in service was prohibited.
- Large showrooms measuring 3000 square feet and above, shopping complexes and malls could not operate.
- Cinemas, gyms, recreation clubs, bars, auditoriums, meeting halls, salons, spas and barber shops in corporations and municipalities were closed.
- Religious places were closed for public worship. Essential rituals could be performed by employees.
- Marriages were limited to 50 guests, while funerals and last rites were limited to 25 people.
Permitted activities and travel
G.O. Ms. No. 361 allowed medical emergencies, essential medical services, milk and newspaper distribution, goods and fuel vehicles, media operations, telecommunications, warehousing and specified industrial activity. Autos, taxis and private vehicles could carry passengers to or from railway stations and airports during night curfew.
Travellers entering Tamil Nadu from other States, except Puducherry, and passengers arriving from foreign countries by air or ship had to show e-registration details entered at http://eregister.tnega.org. Chennai Metro Rail could operate skeletal services during Sunday lockdown.
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Common questions
Did G.O. Ms. No. 361 change any land ownership or registration rules?
No land ownership, registration, planning or development provisions are contained in the notification. It concerns COVID-19 movement, business and gathering restrictions.
Could shops inside shopping malls remain open?
No. Shopping complexes and malls were not permitted to operate, and provision stores and vegetable shops located inside them were also not permitted.
Were marriages allowed during the lockdown?
Yes. Marriage and marriage-related gatherings were permitted with no more than 50 guests, including on complete lockdown days.
Could private vehicles travel during the night curfew?
Private vehicles were generally not permitted from 10.00 P.M. to 4.00 A.M. They could travel for medical emergencies and to carry passengers to or from railway stations and airports.
