In the wake of the exponential rise of COVID-19 cases, the Tamil Nadu government has been considering to steer the fight against the virus spread by imposing another phase of the statewide lockdown by carrying forward the current restrictions to the entire month of August.  

The current phase of lockdown, which is the sixth phase of the unprecedented experiment, hits its deadline on July 31st. However, the Tamil Nadu government is likely to extend the lockdown to the seventh phase till August 31, as July has been witnessing the sharpest spikes of COVID-19 cases. Though the government is framing to pour some relaxations, the lift of the ban on the public transports and resumption of malls and recreational centers is less likely. 

According to the reports, Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami will be holding discussions with the district collectors on Wednesday- July 29 virtually during which he will take stock of the situation and expected to announce the road ahead for the state, which has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in India. As the cases have been soaring in many districts, the officials said that the restrictions on inter and intra-state and district public transports will remain in place while the private transportation will be allowed as per the existing norms. 

On the national stage, the Central government would likely announce some relaxations from August 1. As part of the gradual exit from the lockdown, the Central government is expected to announce relaxations as 'Unlock 3' in which the Center is considering giving its nod for resuming cinema halls and shopping malls from August 1 with several regulations and guidelines.

The reports stated that the Center would also recommend the resumption of gyms and the Center would put out the guidelines before the state governments which would be deciding on the relaxations based on the prevailing situation and spread of the virus in the states. However, the Center is less likely would propose the resumptions of schools, colleges, and educational institutions, and metro rail services across the country as these services would remain shut at least till August. 

Last week, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has written to the Home Ministry recommending to resume the theaters and cinema halls sooner by August 1st or later by August 31st and the I&B Ministry has said that the theater can accommodate 25% of its total seating capacity as part of the social distancing norms. The Home Ministry is yet to respond to the recommendation, which can be expected along with the guidelines for the August month. 

On Sunday, Tamil Nadu has reported yet another biggest spike of 6,986 fresh cases taking the state's total tally to 2,13,723 so far of which 53,703 are active cases and 3,494 had succumbed to the virus. According to the Union Health Ministry, India has reported 14,35,453 cases so far as of Monday morning 8 am of which 4,85,114 are active, 9,17,568 have been recovered, and 32,771 had died due to viral infection. 

In the last 24 hours, India has reported 49,931 fresh cases, 32,771 discharges, and 708 deaths. 

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