Tamil Nadu has extended its ongoing partial lockdown till April 30, during which COVID-19 containment measures will be intensified and safety measures- including mask usage and social distancing- will be strictly enforced.
International air travel prohibition will continue except for permitted purposes.
Tamil Nadu is one of the states where the COVID-19 numbers are showing an upward trajectory. Given the ongoing assembly elections in the state, the authorities are concerned about a further spike in numbers.
No fresh restrictions, however, have been imposed on campaigning. Over the last 24 hours, 2,342 people have tested positive in the state and 16 people have died. State capital Chennai has logged 874 fresh cases, This is the fourth straight day when the daily surge has remained above 2000.
The government said that the test, track and treat protocol will be effectively enforced. “Trends show the virus is still very active… just when we think we can control it, it sparks back,” VK Paul, chairman of the National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration said.
