COVID-19, Infection Prevention and Control, Lockdown Continued upto 10.01.2022, Night Curfew from 10.00 PM to 05.00 AM from 06.01.2022, Complete Lockdown on 09.01.2022, Further Restrictions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005

What the notification governed

G.O. Ms. No. 25, Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.IV), dated 7 January 2022, was issued by the Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department. It continued the statewide COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions up to 10 January 2022, introduced further controls in response to increasing Omicron cases, and authorised enforcement by district and local authorities.

The notification did not deal with land ownership, registration, planning permission or property rights. It affected residents, travellers, employers, shops, institutions and venue operators across Tamil Nadu.

Curfew and complete lockdown

G.O. Ms. No. 25 imposed the following statewide controls:

• A night curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM, with business and commercial establishments, malls, markets, shops and restaurants closed during those hours.
• A complete lockdown on 9 January 2022.
• Essential medical services, milk supply, newspaper distribution, pharmacies, ambulances, ATMs, goods vehicles and fuel services were permitted during the night curfew.
• Petrol and diesel bunks could operate throughout the day and night.
• Public transport and Metro Rail services were prohibited during the complete lockdown.
• Restaurants could provide parcel food from 7 AM to 10 PM on 9 January 2022. Food delivery was allowed during the same period, while other e-commerce activities were prohibited.

Travel, work and public activities

G.O. Ms. No. 25 permitted intra-state and inter-state bus transport during the night curfew, subject to COVID-19 precautions. Travel to airports, railway stations and bus stands was allowed with tickets and identity proof. Candidates attending competitive examinations or job interviews could travel with supporting documents.

Key restrictions included:

• Manufacturing industries and information technology and information technology enabled services could operate throughout the day and night. Workers needed identity cards or permission letters.
• Public buses, suburban trains and Metro Rail services were limited to 50 per cent seating capacity outside the complete lockdown.
• Direct classes for Standards I to IX were prohibited, while Standards X to XII were permitted.
• Training centres, coaching centres, amusement parks, exhibitions and book fairs were closed or postponed.
• Religious places were closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Marriages were limited to 100 guests and funerals to 50 people.
• Hotels, cinemas, gyms, salons and several other venues were limited to 50 per cent capacity.

Enforcement

G.O. Ms. No. 25 directed the Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, District Collectors, local bodies and police authorities to enforce face masks, hygiene, social distancing and operating procedures. Continuous violations could lead to fines, other action, or closure of shops and establishments.