Marina Beach looks deserted, as coronavirus cases rise in Chennai
The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced a ban on public gatherings on all beaches in the state on December 31 and January 1, effectively stopping New Year’s celebrations, as part of its COVID-19 containment measures.
Announcing some relaxations, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that classes for classes 6-12 and students of higher education institutions will no longer be alternate but will be ‘normal’ from next month.
Stalin on Monday held a review meeting to review the situation of the COVID pandemic in Tamil Nadu, especially in view of the emergence of the latest Omron edition in the neighboring states.
Announcing the COVID-related restrictions till December 31, the government said the existing restrictions on social, cultural and political gatherings would continue.
“On December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022, all beaches will not be accessible to the public,” an official release quoted Stalin as saying. The popular Marina Beach here amongst others in the state is flocked by New Year enthusiasts every year.
Amid relaxations, the government allowed swimming pools to function. Further, to address the shortfall in learning skills by school going students and in view of their future, classes 6-12 will not be conducted on rotation basis from January 3, 2022, but will be normal, it said. The same will apply to colleges and technical training centres.
“Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination-Covid-19 Appropriate Practices,” among others, should be strictly adhered to.
With the emergence of Omicron type cases in neighboring states- Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, people should avoid crowds during the upcoming festival season and follow COVID protocols including use of face-masks and social distancing and get vaccinated , CM said.
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