Tamil Nadu Allows 150 Spectators & 300 Bulls For Jallikattu, Announces Fresh Covid Curbs

Meanwhile, the higher education department announced a holiday for colleges in Tamil Nadu till January 31.

A woman is tested for COVID-19 | Credit: PTI

Chennai: Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases & the upcoming Pongal festivities, Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced additional lockdown guidelines to curb the spread of novel coronavirus in the state. As per the new guidelines, the state has capped the audience for Jallikattu to 150 persons and announced holidays for colleges till January 31. 

According to a report on The Hindu, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu issued a standard operating procedure on Monday capping the audience for Jallikattu to 150 persons and all of them must mandatorily produce two COVID-19 doses certificates and negative COVID-19 certificate. 

In another release on Monday, the state government extended the night curfew in the state to January 31. The government also banned devotees from visiting religious places from January 14 to January 18. 

The state announced that the Sunday lockdown would continue on January 16. Considering the Pongal festivities-related travel, Tamil Nadu restricted the capacity in buses to 75%. 

Meanwhile, the higher education department announced a holiday for colleges in Tamil Nadu till January 31.

As of Monday, Tamil Nadu recorded 13,990 novel coronavirus cases and 11 deaths. The state currently has 62,767 positive cases of the virus. Around 2,547 patients were discharged following treatment from hospitals on Monday. 

The highest number of cases was recorded in Chennai with 6,190 patients testing positive for the virus followed by Chengalpattu with 1,696 patients.