The State Government of Tamil Nadu has announced to impose complete lockdown in 4 Districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram
The State Government of Tamil Nadu has announced to impose complete lockdown in 4 Districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram from June 19 to June 30, 2020, in the wake of rising number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
Hospitals, testing centres, labs and medical-related activities, flight and train services will remain operational. Caretakers of ill, differently abled and elderly will be allowed to commute in these Districts. Rental cabs, autorickshaws will not be allowed to ply, except for emergency cases.
The decision was made by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu – Edappadi K. Palaniswami after meeting an expert committee which recommended restriction of activities and movement in the State.
The move comes at a time when Tamil Nadu’s tally of cases surged to 46,504. There have been 479 casualties. In the past 24 hours, the State recorded 1,843 fresh cases 44 casualties. Tamil Nadu is the second worst hit State.
The State Government has asked the people to not to commute using their vehicles beyond a radius of 2 kms, even for buying essentials. The Government Offices will have only 33% staff at work and those living in containment zone will not come to office. The grocery and vegetable shops will open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mobile shops are also allowed to open. Hotels and restaurants can operate from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. but only for takeaway services. While tea shops will remain closed, Amma Canteens and community kitchens will continue to remain open.
Besides, there will be a complete shutdown on the two Sundays i.e., June 21 and 28, 2020. No shops, including those selling essentials will be allowed to open on these two days. Banks will only be operational on June 29 and 30, 2020.
In other developments, the Home Minister of India – Amit Shah made a surprise visit to Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital to review COVID-19 preparedness. The Home Minister directed the Delhi Chief Secretary – Vijay Dev to install CCTV cameras in COVID-19 wards of all hospitals, to ensure proper monitoring of patients.
Amit Shah also said that back-ups for canteens supplying food should also be established, so that in case there is an infection in one canteen, patients can continue to get food without disruption.
Taking it to twitter, Amit Shah tweeted,
Visited LNJP Hospital in Delhi and held comprehensive discussion with the doctors and officials on the COVID-19 situation. Also reviewed hospital's preparedness.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 15, 2020
I thank and salute all Corona warriors who are serving the country round the clock in these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/oMkqNSHwNZ
He further tweeted,
Under PM @NarendraModi ji’s decisive leadership, India is resolutely and collectively fighting against the Covid-19 global pandemic.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 15, 2020
PM Modi’s government will leave no stone unturned to help our people in need.
Sharing some pictures of my visit to LNJP hospital in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/57U5jejl8T
In the past 24 hours, Delhi reported 1,647 fresh cases and 73 casualties, taking the total number of cases to 42,829and casualties to 1400. Delhi is the third most affected place in the country,
Separately, the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research with Major Technology in Lucknow, a start-up, has developed a disinfection machine for N95 masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits. It has been successfully tested in All India Institute of Medical sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur and Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Lucknow. With this, N95 masks and PPE kits will be reusable and economically viable.
As per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), there are 3,32,424 cases and there have been 9,520 casualties.
