G.O.(Ms) No.504, COVID-19 Lockdown Extension, 2021

What the document governs

Government Order (Ms) No.504 of the Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department applied across Tamil Nadu during the extended lockdown period from 9 August 2021 to 6.00 A.M. on 23 August 2021. It was issued following a review of the pandemic situation and continued existing guidelines with specified relaxations and controls.

The document is not a land ownership, registration or planning measure. It affected the operation of shops, institutions, religious places, markets and other premises during the stated COVID-19 restriction period.

Who was affected

Government Order (Ms) No.504 affected members of the public, shop and establishment operators, religious institutions, schools, medical and nursing colleges, local bodies, District Collectors, police authorities and other departments responsible for enforcement.

Commercial and other organisations that violated the guidelines or prescribed customer limits were liable to action. The public were asked to avoid unnecessary travel and gatherings, follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and seek medical advice when symptoms appeared.

Key operating requirements

Government Order (Ms) No.504 prescribed the following measures:

• Religious places and places of worship had to remain closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
• Meat and fish markets had to operate as separate shops in open spaces to prevent large gatherings.
• Permitted shops had to provide hand sanitiser and thermal screening at entrances.
• Workers and customers had to wear face masks.
• Air-conditioned shops and establishments had to keep doors and windows open for cross ventilation.
• Shops had to limit the number of people inside and could mark adequately spaced queue positions at entrances.
• Medical colleges, nursing colleges and paramedical colleges could function from 16 August 2021, subject to a standard operating procedure from the Health and Family Welfare Department.
• Classes for Standards 9, 10, 11 and 12 could begin from 1 September 2021 with 50 percent of students at a time, subject to appropriate standard operating procedures.

Containment zones and enforcement

Government Order (Ms) No.504 prohibited activities in containment zones except essential activities, medical emergencies and the supply of essential goods and services. District Collectors and local bodies were directed to demarcate containment zones at the micro level and arrange intensive house-to-house surveillance.

The Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner, District Collectors and police authorities were responsible for enforcing masks, hand hygiene, distancing, screening, sanitisation and applicable standard operating procedures. Violations could result in fines and proceedings under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and other applicable legal provisions.