G.O. Ms. Nos. 412 and 413, COVID-19 Lockdown Relaxations, 2020
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, issued G.O. Ms. No. 412 and G.O. Ms. No. 413 on 8 August 2020 to relax certain COVID-19 restrictions for gymnasiums, places of worship and driving schools. Both orders amend G.O. Ms. No. 396, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 31 July 2020, with effect from 10 August 2020, while the State-wide lockdown remained extended until 24:00 hours on 31 August 2020.
What the notifications govern
G.O. Ms. No. 412 and G.O. Ms. No. 413 were issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. They amend the list of prohibited activities in G.O. Ms. No. 396, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 31 July 2020.
The changes took effect on 10 August 2020 during the State-wide COVID-19 lockdown that had been extended until 24:00 hours on 31 August 2020.
Gymnasiums and other public venues
G.O. Ms. No. 412 removes the word “Gymnasiums” from the prohibited activities paragraph. The notification followed an announcement permitting private, stand-alone gymnasiums for members below 50 years of age, with separate Standard Operating Procedures.
The amended prohibited activities paragraph continued to cover:
- Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks and theatres.
- Bars, auditoriums and assembly halls.
- Beaches, tourist places, zoos, museums and similar places.
- Sports complexes and stadia, although these could open without spectators.
Places of worship in corporation areas
G.O. Ms. No. 413 changes the restrictions applying to places of worship. Its key provisions are:
- Small temples with annual income of less than Rs.10,000, small mosques, Darghas, churches and other religious places in corporation areas could open for public worship.
- These places had to follow the Standard Operating Procedures already issued.
- Places within Greater Chennai Corporation limits required prior permission from the Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation.
- Places in other corporations required prior permission from the respective District Collector.
- Big religious places and places of worship throughout Tamil Nadu remained closed for public worship.
Driving schools and educational institutions
G.O. Ms. No. 413 creates an exception for driving schools under training institutions. Schools, colleges and other educational, training and coaching institutions remained closed, but driving schools could function from 10 August 2020 by following the Standard Operating Procedures. Online and distance learning continued to be permitted and encouraged.
Who was affected
The notifications directly affected operators and users of private gymnasiums, sports facilities, religious places in corporation areas and driving schools. They also affected the Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner and District Collectors responsible for granting prior permission for eligible places of worship.
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 a private gymnasium open from 10 August 2020?
G.O. Ms. No. 412 removed gymnasiums from the prohibited activities list. The notification refers to the announcement permitting private, stand-alone gymnasiums for members below 50 years of age, with separate Standard Operating Procedures.
Could a small temple in a corporation area open for public worship?
Yes, if its annual income was less than Rs.10,000, it followed the applicable Standard Operating Procedures and obtained prior permission from the relevant authority.
Who granted permission for eligible places of worship?
Within Greater Chennai Corporation limits, prior permission was required from the Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation. In other corporation areas, permission was required from the respective District Collector.
Were driving schools allowed to reopen?
Yes. G.O. Ms. No. 413 allowed driving schools to function throughout Tamil Nadu from 10 August 2020 by following the Standard Operating Procedures, while other listed educational and training institutions remained closed.
