COVID-19: CHENNAI BORDERS TO BE CLOSED? NO E-PASS FOR 'TO AND FROM' CHENNAI? - REPORT

The spread of the novel coronavirus has aggravated in the past week in Tamil Nadu, where 90% of the cases are constituted by Chennai city. Under these circumstances, the state government is planning on taking serious actions to contain the spread.

Within the last one week, the number of coronavirus positive cases in Chennai has sky-rocketed. Due to the sheer number of cases recorded from Chennai metropolitan area, Tamil Nadu is now the second most affected state in the country after Maharashtra. As of June 8, Chennai has recorded a total of 23,298 cases out of 33,229 cases in TN.

In light of curbing this issue, Vikatan has reported that the state government officials are discussing ways to contain Chennai city. E-Pass to Chennai might not be available and the city’s boarders will be completely closed, with every area being closely monitored by police officials, or just North Chennai boarders might be closed, reported Vikatan.

This is because, many people are travelling within the 4 gravely affected districts of TN, which are Chennai, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur, in two-wheelers. It has also come to notice that many people return from Maharashtra to their home towns in two-wheelers, during the early hours of the day. An official who spoke to Vikatan said that very few people are taking an E-Pass to enter the state as a large number of people are violating the government’s rules.

Almost 8 out of 10 people returning from Maharashtra have tested positive for the virus. 5 in 10 people who travel from Chennai to other districts have tested positive for the virus.

Under such circumstances where some fail to comply and corporate with the government, the officials are forced to take extreme actions. Health advisors have said that Chennai’s count will decrease only if the boarders are sealed. However, official statement is awaited.