REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT - Covid-19 – Lockdown extended in the Territorial Jurisdictions of the State of Tamil Nadu with Existing Guidelines and certain Relaxations upto 31-10-2021 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

No. 410] CHENNAI, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 Aavani 26, Pilava, Thiruvalluvar Aandu–2052

Part II—Section 2

Notifications or Orders of interest to a Section of the public

issued by Secretariat Departments.

NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT

REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

COVID-19 – LOCKDOWN EXTENDED IN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTIONS OF THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU WITH EXISTING GUIDELINES AND CERTAIN RELAXATIONS UPTO 31-10-2021 UNDER THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2005.

[G.O.Ms. No.552, Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV), 11th September 2021, ஆவணி 26, பிலவ, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2052.]

No. II(2)/REVDM/646(e)/2021.

WHEREAS on considering the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic scenario and as per the directives of Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, State-wide lockdown/restrictions was enforced throughout the State with effect from 4.00 A.M. of 10.05.2021 to 6.00 A.M. of 15.09.2021, in order to control the spread of COVID-19.

2. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has conducted review meeting on the following issues:-

a. To evaluate Corona prevention activities, importance of vaccination coverage and actions to be taken.

b. The Expert Committee of National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) of Union Government has reported the possibility of third wave during the month of September and October and also suggested preventive measures to be adopted.

c. Spread of corona virus and Nipah Virus in neighbouring state of Kerala and actions need to be taken in this regard.

3. Now, based on the above review meeting, the Government hereby order, under Disaster Management Act, 2005 to extend the restrictions upto 31.10.2021 with the following instructions:-

Restrictions

➢ Public gatherings in religious festivals/consecrations, political, socio-cultural and religion related congregation, which were already prohibited, will continue to be prohibited upto 31.10.2021 in order to avoid super spreader events.

Permitted activities

All permitted activities in existence shall continue to be permitted with existing restrictions.

General

(i) All shops and public gathering places should adhere to the following important Standard Operating Procedures.

• Shops shall have mandatory hand hygiene (hand sanitizer with dispenser) at the entrance.

• Management shall ensure that the workers and customers wear face masks compulsorily.

• All shops and establishments shall ensure that the doors and windows are kept open for cross ventilation. In order to ensure social distancing norms, more number of persons shall not be allowed at a time inside the shops.

• Specifi c markings with suffi cient distance may be made at the entrance of the shops to manage the general public standing in the queue.

• Action will be taken against the commercial/other organizations which violate the above guidelines and prescribed limit of customers.

(ii) 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination-Covid-19 appropriate behaviour' principle shall be strictly adhered to.

(iii) In order to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Containment Zones shall be demarcated upto Micro Level and the containment measures including vaccination to the people in this area shall be initiated by the District Collectors and the Local Bodies as per the Standard Operating Procedures.

(iv) Within the demarcated Containment Zones, containment measures shall be scrupulously followed, as under:

• Only essential activities shall be allowed in the Containment Zones. No activity, except medical emergencies and supply of essential goods and services shall be permitted.

• There shall be intensive house-to-house surveillance by surveillance teams formed for the purpose.

4. In order to control the spread of Corona third wave, vaccination is important, Therefore, all eligible persons are requested to get vaccinated.

5. In order to control the spread of corona, the public are requested to perform their religious festivals in

their houses, avoid moving to crowded places and to make use of the public transport only if necessity arises.

6. Considering the interest of students' education and psychological well-being, the classes for 9th, 10th,

11th and 12th and colleges are being conducted with the cooperation of teachers and parents. The local body

authorities, Health Department and School Education Department officials are requested to continue the control

measures against the spread of corona virus in School and College premises.

7. The public are also requested to seek medical advice of the nearest hospital as soon as symptoms of infection appear.

8. The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation/District Collectors and Commissioners of Police/ Superintendents of Police concerned shall take all necessary measures for the strict enforcement of National Directives for Covid-19 management viz., wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, screening & hygiene, frequent sanitization of entire workplace etc., and adherence of the Standard Operating Procedures issued for the permitted activities. The Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation/District Collectors concerned may initiate penal action by imposing fi nes on persons violating the National Directives.

9. Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable.

V. IRAI ANBU,

Chief Secretary.