G.O. (Ms.) No. 172, Disaster Management, Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), 2020

What the government order governed

G.O. (Ms.) No. 172, dated 25 March 2020, issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Disaster Management Wing, DM II Section, applied throughout Tamil Nadu with immediate effect. It remained in force for 21 days from 25 March 2020 and superseded G.O. (Ms.) No. 152 of the Health and Family Welfare Department.

The government order introduced COVID-19 containment measures under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Its main requirements included:

• Closure of most Central and State Government offices, autonomous bodies and corporations.
• Closure of commercial, private and industrial establishments, except listed essential operations.
• Suspension of air, rail and road transport, with exceptions for essential goods, emergencies, cargo, relief and evacuation.
• Closure of educational, training, research and coaching institutions.
• Closure of places of worship to the public and prohibition of religious congregations.
• Prohibition of social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions or gatherings.
• A limit of twenty persons at funerals.

Activities relevant to property owners and professionals

G.O. (Ms.) No. 172 allowed all essential construction activities, subject to disease prevention protocols, continuous monitoring and checks on workers' health. The document does not further define which construction activities were essential.

District administration and treasury offices could operate with minimum staff. Municipal bodies could retain only the staff needed for essential services such as sanitation and water supply. Electricity, water, sanitation, private security, cold storage and warehousing services were also exempted.

Hotels, homestays, lodges and motels generally had to suspend services. They could continue when accommodating stranded tourists, medical and emergency staff, air or sea crew, or when used as quarantine facilities.

Essential operations and compliance

G.O. (Ms.) No. 172 permitted specified services to continue, including hospitals, pharmacies, banks, insurance offices, automated teller machines, food and grocery shops, ration shops, milk booths, petrol pumps, gas outlets, telecommunications and delivery of essential goods. Home delivery of food through named aggregators was prohibited.

Organizations and employers using an exemption had to follow COVID-19 precautions and social distancing advice issued by the Health Department. District Collectors were responsible for implementation through designated Executive Magistrates and could authorize an officer to issue passes for essential movement. In Chennai, the Corporation Commissioner was the competent authority.