Chennai: With Chennai and its suburbs continuing to witness a surge in Covid-19 cases, Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday declared that these areas will revert to lockdown phase without relaxations now in force from June 19 to 30.
Two Sundays during the 12-day period shall just be short of curfew with permission only for milk supply and medical services, he announced. In essence, the gradual easing of a string of curbs, including relaxations seen during the unlock 1.0 phase (lockdown 5.0), starting with the first week of June would cease to exist for Chennai and many nearby areas for 12 days.
Palaniswami’s announcement came after DMK President M K Stalin, in a virtual press conference, demanded to know when the government will come out with an action plan to flatten the virus curve, especially in Chennai.
The Chief Minister also announced another round of cash relief of Rs 1,000 to rice ration card holders and unorganised sector workers in Chennai and a string of other nearby areas in Chengelpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Ration card holders and workers with several state welfare boards have already received Rs 1,000 cash assistance. After a meeting with an expert panel and amid rising coronavirus cases here, Palaniswami said the lockdown will be applicable in Chennai and several other localities in adjoining Tiruvallur, Chengelpet and Kancheepuram districts.
Of the 1,843 new infections on Monay, Chennai accounted for 1,257 and the count of positive cases in the state capital touched 33,244. Adjoining districts like Chengelpet (3,005 cases till date) has also been witnessing a steady increase in the number of cases.
