As the sequel of the exponential rise in the COVID-19 cases in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has on Saturday announced a complete lockdown in the state from May 10. The fresh episode of the lockdown has come exactly a day after MK Stalin sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.  

The drive of the complete lockdown will come to effect at 4 am on May 10 and will be in force till 4 am on May 24. The lockdown will add the ban on intra-district transportation and a complete shutdown of TASMAC outlets to the list of existing restrictions. With the view of letting people get prepared for the lockdown from stocking the essentials and making necessary arrangements, the government has announced that all shops and establishments, including salons and spas, will stay open from 6 am to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday (May 8 and May 9) across the state. 

The following are the government's orders that you should know on what will be permitted and what's not from May 10, 

• TASMAC outlets will be fully closed during the lockdown.
• Hotels and lodges will be suspended for the public. They can function only for business visitors and for medical reasons.
• Restaurants are not allowed to carry out dining-in but they can offer parcel services. Tea shops are allowed to function till 12 pm every day during the lockdown. 
• Beauty parlours, salons, and spas will continue to be suspended across the state so are the entertainment, social, political, sports, and educational events. 
• All forms of recreation clubs, bars, auditoriums, meeting halls, and amusement parks are banned from operations.
• All sorts of religious congregations and festivals are banned and all beaches across the state will remain deserted. 
• All private establishments, except those provided with exemptions, are prohibited from functioning from their office spaces. These establishments should advise their employees to work from home.
• Tourist spots like the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, and Yercaud will be completely closed for the public during the tenure of the lockdown. 
• Schools, Colleges, universities, training centres, and summer camps are allowed to function. 
• All e-commerce services, except Swiggy, Zomato, and Dunzo, will be prohibited during the complete lockdown. 
• Public Distribution (Ration) shops will be open till 12 noon and courts and judicial bodies have no restrictions from discharging their duties. 
• Street food vendors will not be allowed to function while flower and vegetable shops on the footpaths are permitted to function till 12 noon. Swimming pools and sports training academics are not allowed to function. 
• No restrictions for journalists and media persons in carrying out their work while Banks and Insurance Companies are allowed to operate till 50% of staff. The government has allowed the industries that are involved in manufacturing essential commodities to operate. 

More importantly, apart from the above orders, the government has announced a ban on inter and intra-district transportation. According to the order, inter-district and intra-district bus services run by the government and private players will be suspended during the lockdown. Taxi services and auto services are not allowed to operate and people who are travelling to important events like weddings, funerals, interviews, and medical emergencies can travel with adequate proof and certificates. 

The order further states that no state government offices except Chief Secretariat, Health and Family Welfare department, revenue department, disaster management, police, home guards, fire and rescue services, prisons, district administration, district trade centres, electricity, water, local body authorities, forest department, social welfare, and women's rights departments, and treasuries will function during the lockdown. 

All forms of essential services including milk distribution, courier service, hospitals, labs, and pharmacies, ambulance and funeral service, movements of cargos, movements of vehicles transporting Agri products and oxygen cylinders, fuel stations, and LPG services will be allowed to function during the lockdown. The government has asserted that all Amma canteens will operate across the state. In the press release, Chief Minister MK Stalin has appealed to the people to render their cooperation to the government in containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.