G.O. (Ms) No.288, Closing of Government Offices on Second Saturdays for Cleaning and Regular Disinfection, 2020
The Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management D.M.II Department issued G.O. (Ms) No.288, dated June 10, 2020, directing all government offices to close on second Saturdays for comprehensive cleaning, sanitising and disinfection during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The direction was to be followed until further orders and does not change land ownership, registration or revenue rules.
What the government order does
G.O. (Ms) No.288 of the Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management D.M.II Department requires all government offices to close on second Saturdays. The closure allows comprehensive cleaning and sanitising to be carried out fully across the second Saturday and Sunday.
The measure followed guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, on June 4, 2020. Those guidelines called for regular cleaning and disinfection of office premises and common areas as a preventive measure during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Offices and bodies covered
G.O. (Ms) No.288 applies to all government offices. Its distribution list includes:
- Tamil Nadu government departments and Secretariat departments.
- Heads of departments, District Collectors, District Judges and District Magistrates.
- The High Court of Madras and its Madurai Bench.
- Constitutional and statutory bodies.
- State corporations, local bodies, boards, universities, commissions, companies, institutions and societies.
- Treasury, accounts and pay offices.
The listed authorities were expected to follow the closure and disinfection direction strictly until further orders.
Background and key provisions
G.O. (Ms) No.288 records that an earlier government order had required all government offices to work with half their workforce under a six-day working week from May 18, 2020. The later direction created a second Saturday closure specifically so that disinfection could be undertaken fully.
Key requirements are:
- All government offices must close on second Saturdays.
- Comprehensive cleaning and sanitising must follow Government of India guidelines.
- Disinfection activities are to be carried out across the second Saturday and Sunday.
- The arrangements remain in force until the government issues further orders.
Relevance to property matters
G.O. (Ms) No.288 concerns government office operations and workplace sanitation. It contains no provision changing land ownership, land classification, patta, registration, planning permission or other property rights. A property buyer, owner or professional may be affected only when dealing with a covered government office on a second Saturday, because the office was directed to remain closed for cleaning and disinfection.
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
Were Tamil Nadu government offices required to close every Saturday?
No. G.O. (Ms) No.288 directs closure on second Saturdays for comprehensive cleaning, sanitising and disinfection.
Does G.O. (Ms) No.288 change any patta or land registration rule?
No. The document addresses government office closures and disinfection. It contains no change to patta, land registration or property rights.
How long was the second Saturday closure direction meant to continue?
The Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management D.M.II Department directed that it be followed strictly until further orders.
Why were offices also disinfected on Sunday?
G.O. (Ms) No.288 provides for full-fledged disinfection activities across the second Saturday and Sunday so that government offices could be cleaned comprehensively.
