Chennai: Amid confusion over lockdown orders, Deputy Commissioner of Police S. Vimala on Monday clarified that no e-pass is required for those travelling within the state’s Chennai district.
“During this lockdown, we have removed the e-pass requirement for persons travelling within the district. For funerals, medical emergencies and other reasons, if the person shows proof in the form of doctor’s prescriptions, death certificate or crematoria receipts, they will be allowed to go. There is no e-pass required,” Vimala said.
The top police official, however, added that “persons travelling between districts will be asked for an e-pass”.
This came as two points in the order, including point number 12 which read “requests of utmost necessity such as funerals, medical emergencies and other reasons will be sanctioned for travel within and between districts if registered for e-pass over at eregister.tnega.org”, issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Greater Chennai Corporation, created misunderstanding among the people regarding e-pass applications.
In a bid to restrict the spread of Covid-19, the state went into total lockdown for a week beginning Monday with stringent measures.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday renewed his appeal to the people to adhere to government guidelines to help contain the spread of Covid in the state.
“This is the only way for everyone in the state and the people should understand this. Please don't come out except for medical needs. The complete lockdown is a bitter medicine but people have to take it. Please adhere to the guidelines issued for preventing Corona. I make this appeal not only as a Chief Minister but also as your brother,” he said in a video message.
The current lockdown exempts only a few services, including pharmacies, milk, water, and newspaper distribution.
The ATM services will remain open during the lockdown besides the restaurants have been given permission to function on delivery basis from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. These timings will be followed by other delivery services, including Swiggy and Zomato.
The IT firms, banks, private and insurance companies have been asked to work from home during the lockdown period.