Chennai, May 2 (IANS): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Saturday announced continuation of lockdown in the state from May 4 to May 17 to prevent the spread of coronavirus subject to some relaxations.

In a statement, Palaniswami said based on the report given by an expert committee, the Central government's advice on May 1 and the decision of the the Cabinet, lockdown will be continued without any relaxation in the the containment zones.

Palanswami said industries and business establishments can start operating subject to the conditions from May 6 onwards.

The relaxations announced by him in respect of Greater Chennai under the control of the city police barring the containment zones are:

Construction activity will be allowed if the workers are also staying at the site;

Allowing construction activities of all government and public sector and road works;

Units in Special Economic Zones (SEZ), export oriented units (EOU), and export units can function with the permission of District Collector after inspection with 25 per cent staff (minimum 20 staff). The staff have to travel to work only in company-organised transport;

IT and ITES companies can work with 10 per cent staff (minimum 20 persons). The staff have to trave to work only in company-organised transport;

Shops selling essential items can function between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m;

Restaurants can sell only in packets between 6 a.m to 9 p.m;

Barring barber shops and beauty salons, all other standalone shops can function between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m;

Plumbers, electricians and other independent professionals, home care givers can function with the permission of the District Collector.

For localities outside Greater Chennai boundary and barring containment zones the following stipulations apply:

Factories can function with 50 per cent staff (minimun 20 staff);

In case of rural areas with more than 15,000 population, textile units can function with 50 per cent staff strength with the permission of the District Collector;

SEZs, EOUs, industrial townships, industrial estates with 50 per cent worker strength. Textiles units located in urban areas are not allowed to operate;

EOUs in urban centres can function with 50 per cent staff strength with District Collector's permission;

Electronics hardware manufacturers can operate with 50 per cent staff strength;

Integrated spinning mills in rural areas with 50 per cent staff strength;

Leather design units in cities with 30 per cent staff;

IT and ITES units can function with 50 per cent staff strength (minimum 20 staff);

Restaurants can sell only in packets between 6 a.m to 9 p.m;

All standalone shops can function between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m;

Plumbers, electricians and other independent professionals, home care givers can function with the permission of the District Collector.

He also said the ban on taxis, trains, buses, airlines, hotels, opening of religious places for public and others would continue.