The Tamil Nadu state government has, on Friday, announced that the bus and metro rail services would be suspended in the state on Sunday and the decision has been taken as a part of the precautionary mechanisms to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to observe 'Janata Curfew', the measure announced by Prime Minister Modi to practice social distancing and avoid mass gatherings to contain the rapid spread.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people to stay indoors on Sunday and to avoid travel unless it becomes essential. He called the people to observe Janata Curfew on Sunday and to stay home from 7 am to 9 pm. As a part of the task force, the Tamil Nadu government has suspended the bus and rail services across the state on Sunday to avoid having any sort of risk or crisis.

In his statement, Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami asked the people to stay at home and commute outside only for the essential services and the people above 60 have been barred from exiting their residences. He stated that the government buses and metro rail services will not be functioning on Sunday and this suspension would also apply for MTC (Metro Transport Corporation) that largely operates in Chennai. The Chief Minister said the operators of private transports have been asked to suspend their services and support the government in combating the spread of the virus.

According to the reports, the public and private libraries would be shut down from March 21st to 31st and the Chief Minister asked the people not to approach hospitals for general treatments. The reports have stated that the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) would also be closed on Sunday. The state government of Tamil Nadu has been tightening the mechanisms to contain the spread and the state has already been going through severe lockdown as the schools, colleges, malls, theaters, bars, parks, tourist spots, and private establishments have been closed and would remain closed till March 31st, 2020.

The state of Tamil Nadu has reported with three positive cases for the pandemic in its territory - all three are from Chennai and while one of the cases have been recovered and discharged from the hospital, the other two cases have been quarantined and receiving treatments in the isolation wards installed in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in the city. The busy streets of the city had become quiet for the past few days as the shops were closed to contain the spread.

However, the essential shops -including pharmacies and grocery stores, would be functioning normally across the state and the government established 'Amma Unavagam' will remain open amid the outbreak. As of Saturday morning, India has recorded 258 positive cases and four deaths in its territory. The Indian government has suspended 3700 trains across the country on Sunday with the view of tackling the global pandemic. The Tamil Nadu government has advised the people to follow the advisories issued by the health department. Health Minister Vijayabaskar appealed to the people to stay vigilant rather than celebrating the holiday.