COVID-19 - Lockdown extended in Tamil Nadu with existing guidelines and certain relaxations upto 06.00 A.M. of 31.07.2021
The Government of Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department issued G.O.Ms. No.466, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV), dated 17th July 2021, extending the statewide COVID-19 lockdown from 19th July 2021 until 06.00 A.M. on 31st July 2021. It continued specified prohibitions, allowed certain training and school administrative activities, limited marriages and funerals, and imposed special restrictions in containment zones.
What the notification governed
G.O.Ms. No.466, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV), dated 17th July 2021, was issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Department under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It extended the statewide lockdown from 19th July 2021 until 06.00 A.M. on 31st July 2021, following a review of the COVID-19 situation.
The notification applied throughout Tamil Nadu, with stricter controls in containment zones. Activities not listed as prohibited were permitted, subject to the applicable Standard Operating Procedures and containment zone restrictions.
Activities that remained prohibited
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department continued the prohibition of:
- Interstate public and private bus transport, except transport involving Puducherry.
- International passenger air travel, except for purposes permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Cinema theatres and multiplexes.
- Social and political gatherings.
- Entertainment, sports and cultural events.
- Schools and colleges, except for the specifically permitted activities described below.
Marriage gatherings were limited to 50 guests. Funeral and last rites gatherings were limited to 20 persons.
Additional permitted activities
The lockdown extension allowed the following activities throughout Tamil Nadu, except in containment zones:
- Vocational Training Centres, including Industrial Training Institutes and Industrial Schools, and typewriting and shorthand technical institutes, could operate with 50 percent of students at a time on a rotation basis and by following Standard Operating Procedures.
- Teachers could work at schools for administrative tasks, including student admissions, book distribution and syllabus preparation.
Requirements for shops, industries and containment zones
Permitted shops had to provide hand sanitizer at the entrance, conduct thermal screening, require workers and customers to wear face masks, maintain ventilation where air conditioning was used, control the number of people inside and use queue markings for distancing.
Permitted industries had to follow Standard Operating Procedures, disinfect regularly and take immediate action to vaccinate employees. Noncompliance could lead to penal action against establishments.
District Collectors and local bodies were required to demarcate containment zones at the micro level. Only essential activities were allowed there, and movement was restricted except for medical emergencies and the supply of essential goods and services.
Enforcement
The Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner, District Collectors, police authorities and other responsible departments were directed to enforce masking, hand hygiene, distancing, screening, workplace sanitation and applicable Standard Operating Procedures. Violations could result in fines and proceedings under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Indian Penal Code and other applicable legal provisions.
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Common questions
Was the lockdown extended across all of Tamil Nadu?
Yes. G.O.Ms. No.466 extended the statewide lockdown from 19th July 2021 until 06.00 A.M. on 31st July 2021, with stricter restrictions in containment zones.
Could shops remain open during this lockdown period?
Activities not listed as prohibited were permitted, but shops had to follow requirements including hand sanitizer, thermal screening, masks, ventilation, limits on people inside and distancing for queues. No activities were permitted in containment zones except essential activities, medical emergencies and supplies of essential goods and services.
Did the notification specifically address property registration or construction?
No. The notification did not separately mention property registration or construction. It stated that activities other than those listed as prohibited were permitted, subject to containment zone controls and applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
How many people could attend a marriage or funeral?
Marriage gatherings were limited to 50 guests. Funeral and last rites gatherings were limited to 20 persons.
