Tamil Nadu Unlock: Theatre, Beaches, Parks To Reopen With 50 % Capacity from Today

Tamil Nadu government on Saturday extended Covid-19 induced lockdown restrictions till September 6. Cinema halls will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity and schools can reopen or classes 9 to 12 from September 1.

The government on earlier this month had extended curbs till August 23. Schools for 9, 10, 11, and 12 with 50 percent of students from September 1 was announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin. “Considering the opinion of various sections, it has been proposed to re-start schools for classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 with 50 per cent of students from September 1 in adherence to Covid-19 standard operating procedure,” he said.

“The members of the public should utilise the relaxations being extended by the government in a responsible manner. I appeal to the people to utilise the relaxations properly as the decisions have been made taking into consideration people’s livelihood, besides students’ education and future, the Chief Minister said.

Here’s what is allowed:

• Schools will reopen for classes 9 to 12 students from September 1 with 50 per cent capacity on a rotation basis. A decision on re-opening the school for classes 1 to 8 will be decided after September 15.

• Polytechnics and colleges have been allowed to re-open from September 1.

• Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be released by the secretaries of the two departments concerned and all teaching and non-teaching staff should have been vaccinated.

• Information technology (IT) and IT-enabled service units can operate at 100 per cent capacity, subject to compliance with prescribed safety standards.

• Beaches, zoos, parks and boathouses will be allowed to reopen for the public and swimming pools can reopen for training by athletes.

• Cinema halls could be opened from August 23 with 50 per cent occupancy.

• Public transport service will be allowed to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka following the guidelines.

• Anganwadis will be opened to provide mid-day meals from September 1. Crches will be permitted and the staff should be vaccinated.

• All shops will be allowed to function till 10 pm a one hour extension – from Monday

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