Tamil Nadu govt extends lockdown till July 31

Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced to extend the coronavirus lockdown in the state till July 31 in the view of rising cases of COVID-19. The complete lockdown to remain in place till July 5 in Madurai and Greater Chennai Police limits including Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, and Thiruvalluvar. While the current relaxations and curbs shall be in force till July 31 for the rest of Tamil Nadu. 

The official statement by the Tamil Nadu government read, "Total lockdown will continue in Chennai, Madurai and surrounding areas till July 5. From July 6 to July 31, Chennai will revert to pre June 19 relaxed



lockdown. From July 6, Madurai will revert to pre June 24 relaxed lockdown."

The decision of lockdown extension in Tamil Nadu came hours after an expert committee advised the state government on tackling COVID-19 and favoured restrictions based on the scenario in specific regions. 

Meanwhile, as many as 3,949 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu in the last 24 hours. 64 have died due to COVID-19 related symptoms, showed government data this morning. 

The COVID-19 tally in Tamil Nadu has reached 86,224 with Chennai alone accounting for nearly 54,000 cases.