Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases local government in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu Saturday announced it has decided to impose a 14-day lockdown in the state from next week.
The order was issued a day after the state recorded its biggest day spike of over 26,000 new COVID-19 infections.
“The total lockdown will be enforced from 4:00 am (local time) on May 10 (Monday) to 4:00 am (local time) on May 24,” an official said.
The newly-elected Chief Minister of state M K Stalin in a statement said the lockdown was being enforced due to “unavoidable reasons”.
Officials said the decision to impose the lockdown was taken based on inputs received by the chief minister during a meeting.
As per the directive issued by the government, services and tasks allowed to continue during the lockdown are banks (with 50 per cent staff) and ration shops.
