Day 2 of corona lock down passes peacefully in TN

The second day of the 21-day nationwide lockdown passed off peacefully in Tamil Nadu with one more person testing coronavirus positive taking the total infected cases to 27 as the state government announced measures to ease people's lives.

Some parts of the state like Madurai saw sizable number of people in cars and two wheelers on the roads giving a tough time to the police.

With the state police coming under attack for baton charging two-wheeler riders who were on the road on Wednesday, the police on Thursday fined the vehicle owners.

In Theni district about 40 two-wheeler riders were fined for going around the area. In some places in the state, the police politely asked the vehicle users to return back home.

The police also announced that vehicles will be seized if prohibitory orders are violated.

Other than this, life in the state remained grounded for second day in succession while the government came out with several announcements to ease the lockdown period.

The Tamil Nadu government warned of stringent action against private banks, self-help groups, and finance companies if they go on to collect interest on loans from small borrowers.

The government also permitted small caterers serving the elderly to continue supply of cooked food, provided their vehicles sport the sticker 'Essential Service' and the drivers have identity cards.

The other measures to ease the life of the people belonging to different sectors during the 21-day nationwide lockdown period are:

Setting up of nine groups comprising of IAS officers to smoothen the hindrances due to the lockdown.

Setting up of vegetables and fruit markets in big grounds where three feet social distancing could be maintained.

Spraying of disinfectants using fire service vehicles in crowded localities.

Supply of two months' medicines to pregnant woman, persons with chronic ailments like blood pressure, AIDS, tuberculosis and diabetes.

Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation to allow production and movement of essential items.

Issue of identity cards by Distict Collector Personal Assistant and concerned police stations.

Permitting organisations to supply essential items, medicines to grocery and cooperative stores and residences.

Village Administrative Officers to permit farmers to move their products.

Permitting movement of agricultural harvesting machines, farm labourers and farm products to markets and factories.

Permitting movement of livestock, cattle feed, fish and eggs.

In case of emergencies elderly persons, dialysis patients and quarantined families can call 108 number.

District Collectors will monitor 54,000 persons who had come from overseas and are home quarantined and also ensure supply of essential items to the families of the quarantined people. IANS