G.O. (Ms) No.401, COVID-19 Lockdown Extended in Tamil Nadu, 2021

What the document governed

The Government of Tamil Nadu, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department issued G.O. (Ms) No.401 dated 13 June 2021 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It extended the statewide COVID-19 complete lockdown from 14 June 2021 until 6.00 A.M. on 21 June 2021 and listed activities allowed during that period.

The notification also prohibited all activities in containment zones. The Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation and District Collectors were directed to enforce face masks, hand hygiene, social distancing, workplace sanitation and the applicable operating procedures.

Effect on property registration and construction

G.O. (Ms) No.401 dated 13 June 2021 affected property buyers, sellers and professionals mainly through temporary limits on registration and construction activity:

• Sub-Registrar Offices could issue only 50 tokens per day for registration of deeds.
• Ongoing construction work at the site was permitted only where workers stayed within the construction premises.
• Government offices providing essential services, including Revenue Administration, District Administration, Local Bodies and the Public Works Department Maintenance Wing, could function.
• Other government departments could function with 30 per cent staff strength.

The notification does not set out any change to land ownership, title, land classification, registration fees or stamp duty.

Permitted services and travel

G.O. (Ms) No.401 dated 13 June 2021 allowed specified essential and supporting activities across all districts. Key permissions included:

• Medical shops, veterinary pharmacies, milk and water supply, newspaper distribution and Public Distribution Shops.
• Standalone provision, vegetable, meat and fish shops from 6.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M.
• Banks and insurance institutions with one-third staff, along with ATMs and related banking services.
• Power, water supply, sanitation, telecommunications and postal services.
• Goods vehicles, cargo handling, warehousing and transport of essential commodities.
• Agriculture, animal husbandry and related transport and processing activities.

Interstate and interdistrict travel was allowed for medical emergencies and funerals with e-registration. Intradistrict travel for those purposes did not require e-registration. Travel to the Nilgiris District, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri and Kutralam for emergencies required an e-pass from the respective District Collector.

Compliance

G.O. (Ms) No.401 dated 13 June 2021 required permitted shops to provide hand sanitiser and thermal screening, enforce masks, avoid air conditioning and control customer numbers. Violations could lead to fines and legal action under the laws identified in the notification.