Chennai: After announcing that the citizens would be given free treatment for Covid-19 complications, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced a state-wide lockdown in Tamil Nadu from 4 am on May 10 to 24.
To prepare for this lockdown, all shops and establishments are being permitted to function on May 8 to 9 (Saturday and Sunday) from 6 am to 9 pm. On Friday, Tamil Nadu witnessed 26,465 new Covid-19 cases, 22,381 recoveries, thus taking the active cases to 1,35,355. 197 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours. Chennai alone had recorded 6,738 new cases on Friday.
For context, even the entire state of Tamil Nadu had seen only a maximum of 6,900-odd Covid-19 cases in the first wave, but now Chennai itself is nearing that number. Tamil Nadu is almost nearing four-times the highest number of daily cases, as was seen in the first wave. International flights, except for those allowed by Home Ministry.Those coming into Tamil Nadu must apply for instant-approval E-passes from eregister.tnega.org
For the past 3 days, India has been reporting over 4 lakh new coronavirus infections. On Saturday, India reported 4,01,078 new Covid-19 cases and 4,187 deaths linked to coronavirus complications. Due to heavy caseload, reports of shortage of medical oxygen, hospital beds for Covid patients, and medicines are still coming from various parts of the country.
