The Tamil Nadu Government has extended the full lockdown in Madurai and its suburbs for seven more days. In a statement in Chennai today, Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy has said that the measure has been taken in view of curtailing fresh waves of the pandemic in the city. As a result, the full lockdown there would be in force till the 12th of this month.
However, in a separate statement, the Chief Minister made it clear that Chennai will enter into the unlock-2 phase after the 5th of this month, with a few additional restrictions. The added restrictions in Chennai include limited hours of functioning of shops and tea stalls, and a ban on dine-in service in hotels. Hotels are permitted to offer food parcel service. More from our correspondent:
Madurai along with Chennai and their suburbs are currently under full lockdown but it was about to end on the 5th, that is tomorrow. However, as announced by the state Chief Minister, Madurai will go for another week of full lockdown till the 12th of this month. Madurai is one of the regions apart from Chennai and its surrounding areas that witness an everyday spike of Covid-19 cases. The state government says the full lockdown has shown a discernible effect in attenuating the disease spread. However, it says the challenge still continues to be formidable, prompting the extension. The government has assured that those living in containment zones and under quarantine will be delivered all the essential items regularly.
