G.O. (Ms) No. 342, COVID-19 Lockdown Further Restrictions

What the government order did

G.O. (Ms) No. 342 dated 8 April 2021, issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department, strengthened COVID-19 controls across Tamil Nadu. It amended G.O. (Ms) No. 339 dated 31 March 2021, with the additional restrictions taking effect from 10 April 2021. The restrictions applied throughout the State, including areas under the Greater Chennai Police, except where separate containment zone controls applied.

Who was affected

G.O. (Ms) No. 342 affected members of the public, businesses, industries, transport operators, places of worship, event organisers and government enforcement bodies. It required industries, shopping complexes, private organisations, offices and restaurants to provide thermal scanning and hand sanitiser, and to ensure that employees, officials and visitors wore face masks. People without face masks were not to be admitted.

The government order did not contain provisions changing land titles, ownership, registration, planning permission or revenue records. Its relevance to property owners and occupiers was limited to the operation and use of premises during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Main restrictions and permitted activities

G.O. (Ms) No. 342 included the following measures:

• Religious congregations and Tiruvizhakkal were prohibited.
• Fruit and vegetable retail outlets in the Koyambedu Market Complex and wholesale markets in all districts were prohibited.
• Shops, malls, large showrooms and similar stores could operate until 11.00 P.M. at a maximum of 50 per cent customer capacity.
• Restaurants, food courts and tea shops could operate until 11.00 P.M. with 50 per cent seating capacity. Takeaway service was allowed until 11.00 P.M.
• Cinemas, theatres, multiplexes, recreation clubs, amusement parks, auditoriums, museums and similar premises were limited to 50 per cent capacity.
• Indoor social, political, academic, entertainment, sports and cultural functions were limited to 200 people.
• Marriage gatherings were limited to 100 guests, while funerals and last rites were limited to 50 people.
• Places of worship could admit the public until 8.00 P.M., subject to applicable operating procedures.
• Buses could carry passengers only up to their seating capacity, with no standing passengers.
• Sports competitions could be held in stadiums and playgrounds without spectators.

Containment and enforcement

G.O. (Ms) No. 342 required monitoring teams in Greater Chennai Corporation zones and all districts. Police, local body and Health Department officials were to monitor containment zones continuously, while District Collectors and other authorities were instructed to enforce masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, fever surveillance and contact tracing.