The Pudducherry government has decided to tighten restrictions on the entry of persons from Chennai. Declaring the decision over a video message to media, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said from Wednesday, that only those people who have permission of the Collector would be allowed to enter Puducherry.

“Even people with an e-pass from Chennai will not be allowed to enter Puducherry without the Collector's consent. Only those coming for medical treatment from neighbouring districts will be allowed,” he said. After entry, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory, he said. The government has also agreed upon imposing fine on those people who are not wearing masks and not adhering to personal distancing norms, he added.

In Tamil Nadu, 1,515 new cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday. With this, the total number of people tested Corona positive in the state so far has gone up to 48,019. Chennai recorded 919 cases. The active caseload including those in hospitals and isolation is 20,706. With 49 people succumbing to the viral disease yesterday, the death toll has risen to 528. Meanwhile, a total of 1,438 persons were discharged from hospitals and Covid-19 care centres after recovery.

According to reports the Madras High Court has permitted the judges in the subordinate courts in Chennai and its three adjoining districts to work from home during the forthcoming full lockdown. The number of Covid19 cases in Chennai, and parts of Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts keep swelling to new highs. Therefore, the Tamil Nadu Government has announced a full lockdown in the region from the 19th to the end of this month to reduce the intensity of the viral spread.

Keeping this in view, the Madras High Court Administrative Committee consisting of senior judges met yesterday. In the meeting it has been decided to permit all the judicial officers except those presiding over the special courts, to work from home. In such courts it has also been permitted to curtail the attendance of the supporting staff as well. However, in the 19 other districts where the full lockdown does not come into effect, the courts have been asked to function as they do now.