G.O. (Ms) No.396, COVID-19 Lockdown Extension till 31 August 2020
The Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.II) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O. (Ms) No.396 dated 31 July 2020, extending the statewide COVID-19 lockdown until 24:00 hours on 31 August 2020 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It continued existing restrictions, introduced specified relaxations from 1 August 2020, and imposed complete lockdowns on Sundays during August 2020.
What the document governed
G.O. (Ms) No.396 dated 31 July 2020, issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.II) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, governed COVID-19 restrictions across Tamil Nadu during August 2020. It did not change land ownership, registration, planning permission or property records.
The statewide lockdown was extended until 24:00 hours on 31 August 2020. Existing restrictions and relaxations under earlier government orders continued, together with the additional conditions listed in the notification.
Activities that remained restricted
The restrictions applied throughout Tamil Nadu until further orders during the lockdown period. Key provisions included:
- Public worship remained closed in Corporation areas and at large religious places. Religious congregations were prohibited.
- Tourist travel to the Nilgiris District, Kodaikanal and Yercaud was prohibited.
- Shopping malls, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, beaches, zoos and museums remained closed.
- Schools, colleges and training or coaching institutions remained closed, while online and distance learning was permitted.
- Metro rail, suburban trains and interstate and intrastate public and private buses remained suspended.
- Marriage gatherings were limited to 50 guests, and funerals or last rites were limited to 20 people.
- An E-Pass remained required for interstate and inter-district travel.
Sunday lockdowns
G.O. (Ms) No.396 required complete lockdowns on 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 August 2020. Only milk distribution, hospitals, pharmaceutical shops, hospital vehicles, ambulances and hearse services were permitted. Private vehicles could operate only for medical emergencies.
Relaxations and operating conditions
From 1 August 2020, areas under the Greater Chennai Police jurisdiction, except containment zones, received specified relaxations:
- Private offices, industrial establishments and export oriented units could operate with 75 percent staff strength. Working from home was encouraged where possible.
- Restaurants and tea shops could provide dine-in service at 50 percent seating capacity from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm, without air conditioning.
- Vegetable and provision shops could open from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm. Other shops could open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.
- E-commerce deliveries of essential and non-essential goods were permitted.
Small places of worship in specified local bodies could open with prior permission from the District Collector and compliance with existing operating procedures. Face coverings, six feet of physical distance, workplace screening, handwashing facilities and sanitiser were required or directed under the COVID-19 management measures.
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.396 affect my land title or property registration?
No land title, registration, planning permission or property record provisions appear in the document. It concerns COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and relaxations during August 2020.
Were private and government buses allowed within districts during August 2020?
No. The document suspended both private and government bus operations within districts from 1 August 2020 to 31 August 2020 throughout Tamil Nadu.
Was an E-Pass required for travel?
Yes. The E-Pass system continued for both interstate and inter-district travel.
Could small religious places open during this lockdown period?
Small temples with annual income below Rs.10,000, and small mosques, darghas, churches and other religious places in Village Panchayats, Town Panchayats and Municipalities could open for public worship with prior permission from the concerned District Collector and compliance with existing operating procedures. Large places of worship and religious places in Corporation areas remained closed for public worship.
