GO.Ms.No.262, Extension of COVID-19 Restrictions with Guidelines and Relaxations, 2020

What it governed

GO.Ms.No.262 of the Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-II) Department governed COVID-19 restrictions throughout Tamil Nadu under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It extended the statewide lockdown until 24:00 hours on 30 June 2020 and continued earlier relaxations, restrictions and amendments, with further guidelines.

Who it affected

GO.Ms.No.262 affected residents, employers, employees, businesses, shops, restaurants, transport operators, educational institutions, religious places and organisers of gatherings. Different permissions applied within the Greater Chennai Police jurisdiction, outside that jurisdiction and inside containment zones.

Key provisions

GO.Ms.No.262 imposed or continued the following requirements:

• No activity was permitted in containment zones during the lockdown.
• Religious places remained closed to the public, and religious congregations were prohibited.
• Shopping malls, educational institutions, cinemas, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment venues, bars and similar places remained closed. Online and distance learning could continue.
• International passenger flights, except as permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, metro rail, suburban trains and interstate public transport remained prohibited.
• Large social, political, sporting, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious gatherings remained prohibited.
• Within the Greater Chennai Police jurisdiction, private offices could operate at 50 percent strength. Information technology and information technology enabled services could operate with company transport at 20 percent strength, subject to a maximum of 40 persons.
• Outside the Greater Chennai Police jurisdiction, industries and private offices could operate with 100 percent of employees. Information technology and information technology enabled services could operate at full strength, with at least 20 percent working from home.
• Restaurants and tea shops could provide seating from 8 June 2020 at 50 percent capacity, with social distancing and without air conditioning.
• Face coverings were compulsory in public places, workplaces and transport. People had to maintain at least six feet of distance in public places.
• Marriage and funeral gatherings were each limited to 50 people.
• People over 65, people with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 were advised to remain at home except for essential and health purposes.

Relevance to land and property

GO.Ms.No.262 does not state any change to land ownership, property registration, land classification or development rights. Its relevance to property owners and professionals was limited to temporary COVID-19 controls affecting workplaces, commercial premises, customer access, gatherings and business operations.