Chennai and its adjacent districts of Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Thiruvallur are just a day ahead to go under the ambit of 12 days enhanced lockdown from June 19 to June 30 after these districts have become worst affected by the pandemic in the state. 

With the view of curbing the spread and to ensure strict lockdown, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shanmugam has directed the officials of these four districts to enforce the restrictions strictly during the tenure of the enhanced lockdown. The state government has been hoping to end June month with the signs of flattening the curve of COVID-19 affected cases in these four active hotspots, with Chennai being a major challenge for the state. 

According to the reports, the law enforcement agencies of these four districts have been directed to have a strict watch on the movement of the people during the lockdown. The police had warned that people who found moving out unnecessarily by defying the ban would be booked under legal grounds and their vehicles will be seized. The government has also restricted the functioning time of the essential shops.

The grocery shops, fuel stations, vegetable shops in these four districts would be functioning from 6 am to 2 pm and people are permitted to walk to buy groceries and vegetables from shops located within a 2 km radius, and the restaurants in these districts have been barred to offer dine-in services. However, they can offer delivery and parcel services from 6 am to 8 pm. By calling people to refrain from unnecessary travel, the government has imposed a complete lockdown on two Sundays - June 21 and 28 in these districts.

The two Sundays would go under complete lockdown with minimal functioning of services. The government has permitted the operations of extremely essential services like hospitals, pharmacies, ambulance services, and emergency movements, and milk supply. 

The state government has banned the movements of autorickshaws and cabs, which would be allowed only for emergencies and the government has also been planning to monitor the quarantined people to ensure that they won't hop out from the residence. 

The extraordinary move of imposing the intense lockdown in these four districts have been taken by the government owing to the exponential rise of COVID-19 cases, as Tamil Nadu has been adding an unprecedented number of cases to its tally. As of Wednesday evening, the state has reported 50,193 positive cases so far -second highest in India after Maharashtra, of which 21,990 are active - including isolation, 27,624 have been discharged, and 576 had succumbed to the virus.

Also read: 12 days of lockdown: Here's the main reason why Chennai goes under enhanced lockdown!