With COVID-19 cases, including those of the Omicron variant, going up in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday announced that night curfew would be imposed across the State between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on working days from January 6. Essential services would be exempted. He also announced a “complete lockdown” on January 9.
Milk and newspaper supplies, hospitals, medical laboratories, pharmacies, ambulance services, banking services, freight vehicles and those carrying petrol, diesel and LPG will be allowed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Petrol and diesel bunks can function 24 hours a day. Devotees will not be permitted into any place of worship on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. During the total lockdown on January 9, these essential services will be permitted. But public transport and Metro Rail services will not operate.
Only take-away services at restaurants and food delivery will be allowed between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. E-commerce platforms cannot operate. Those going on own and rented vehicles for flight, train and bus travel will be allowed with valid tickets.
No physical classes will be allowed for Classes I-IX. Crèches, playschools and kindergartens will remain closed.
In-person learning for students of Classes X, XI and XII will be allowed.
Holiday has been declared till January 20 for all colleges and ITIs, except government and private medical and paramedical colleges, to prepare for the examinations. Training and coaching centres will not be allowed to function. All exhibitions and bookfairs stand postponed, Mr. Stalin reiterated in an official statement.
Passengers will be allowed on public buses, suburban trains and Metro Rail only up to 50% of their capacity. “All Pongal celebrations by government and private organisations stand postponed,” Mr. Stalin said.
