G.O. Ms. No. 386, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV), 22nd May 2021

What the order did

Government Order G.O. Ms. No. 386, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV), dated 22nd May 2021, extended the complete lockdown throughout Tamil Nadu until 06.00 A.M. on 31st May 2021. It followed the lockdown that had been enforced from 04.00 A.M. on 10th May 2021 to 04.00 A.M. on 24th May 2021.

The measure was issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, after considering recommendations from doctors and public health specialists, Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs directives and the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Who and what it affected

The statewide restrictions applied to residents, travellers, shops, offices, banks, restaurants, industries, transport operators and delivery services. They regulated operations and movement during a fixed lockdown period and did not address land ownership, property registration or development rights.

No activities were permitted in containment zones.

Activities permitted during the lockdown

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department allowed only listed activities, including:

• Medical shops, indigenous medical shops and veterinary pharmacies.
• Milk and water supply, newspaper distribution, petrol and diesel bunks, LPG delivery, telecommunications and media services.
• Mobile distribution of fruit and vegetables through government departments in coordination with local bodies.
• E-commerce services from 08.00 A.M. to 06.00 P.M.
• Parcel food from hotels, restaurants and bakeries during the three specified daily time periods. Food delivery platforms could operate only during those periods.
• ATMs and related banking services. Banks could operate with one third of their staff.
• Transport of agricultural produce, agricultural inputs, essential commodities and other goods.
• Inter-district travel for medical emergencies and funeral last rites with e-registration. Intra-district travel for medical emergencies did not require e-registration.
• Continuous process industries, industries manufacturing listed essential commodities and in-situ construction work, subject to existing safety procedures.

Export units, their vendor units and vertically integrated large textile units were not permitted to operate.

Temporary travel and shopping arrangements

Government Order G.O. Ms. No. 386 allowed standalone shops, except malls, to open until 09.00 P.M. on 22nd May 2021 and between 06.00 A.M. and 09.00 P.M. on 23rd May 2021. Public and private buses were also permitted on those two dates to support outstation travel.

Safety rules and enforcement

The Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation and District Collectors were directed to enforce face coverings, hand hygiene, social distancing and applicable operating procedures. Workplace requirements included thermal screening, sanitiser or hand-washing facilities, frequent sanitisation, staggered hours and adequate distance between workers.

Violations could lead to action under sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and other applicable laws.