G.O.(Ms) No.688, COVID-19 Lockdown Extension and Relaxations, 2021
The Revenue and Disaster Management [D.M.IV] Department issued G.O.(Ms) No.688 on 28 October 2021 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, extending Tamil Nadu's COVID-19 restrictions from 31 October 2021 to 15 November 2021 while allowing specified relaxations. It regulates public activities, businesses, transport, schools and gatherings, and does not contain provisions changing land ownership, land records or property rights.
What the government order covers
G.O.(Ms) No.688 of the Revenue and Disaster Management [D.M.IV] Department, dated 28 October 2021, continued Tamil Nadu's COVID-19 restrictions until 15 November 2021. It also permitted specified activities from 23 October 2021 and 1 November 2021, subject to public health requirements.
The government stated that activities already permitted could continue under their existing restrictions. Public gatherings at religious consecrations and political congregations remained prohibited.
Relaxations for businesses and public activities
The relaxations permitted from 23 October 2021 included:
- Removal of the restriction requiring shops, hotels and bakeries to operate only until 11.00 P.M.
- Indoor and outdoor sports stadia for training and sporting events, including contact and non-contact sports.
- Swimming pools for therapeutic purposes.
The activities permitted from 1 November 2021 included:
- Classes for standards 1 to 8 on a rotational basis.
- Cinema theatres with full viewer capacity, subject to the Standard Operating Procedure.
- Cultural events in auditoriums, subject to the Standard Operating Procedure.
- Standalone bars, in addition to bars already permitted.
- Intra-district, inter-district and interstate public transport, except Kerala services, with full seating capacity.
- Government training institutes and centres with full trainee capacity.
- Film shootings with the required workers and artists, subject to the Standard Operating Procedure. All participants were required to be vaccinated.
Requirements for shops and establishments
G.O.(Ms) No.688 required shops and places of public gathering to follow measures including:
- Hand sanitiser dispensers and thermal screening at entrances.
- Compulsory face masks for workers and customers.
- Open doors and windows for cross ventilation.
- Limits on the number of people admitted at one time.
- Queue markings with sufficient distance.
Commercial and other organisations could face action for violating the guidelines or customer limits.
Enforcement and relevance to property
G.O.(Ms) No.688 directed the Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner, District Collectors and police authorities to enforce face masks, hygiene, social distancing, screening, sanitisation and applicable Standard Operating Procedures. District authorities could impose fines, and violations could also lead to proceedings under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and other applicable legal provisions.
The notification concerns temporary pandemic controls. It contains no change to land classification, ownership, registration, planning permission or other property rights.
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
Does G.O.(Ms) No.688 change my patta, land title or property rights?
No provision in G.O.(Ms) No.688 changes land ownership, land records, registration or property rights. It deals with COVID-19 restrictions and permitted activities.
How long were the restrictions extended?
The Revenue and Disaster Management [D.M.IV] Department extended the restrictions from 31 October 2021 to 15 November 2021.
Could shops, hotels and bakeries remain open after 11.00 P.M.?
Yes. From 23 October 2021, the restriction limiting shops, hotels and bakeries to operating until 11.00 P.M. was relaxed.
What precautions were commercial establishments required to follow?
They were required to provide hand hygiene and thermal screening, ensure face masks, maintain cross ventilation, limit customers inside and manage queues with distancing. Action could be taken for violations.
