Poll-bound Tamil Nadu government on March 31 announced the extension of Covid-19 lockdown across the state till April 30. Along with the current order, the existing restrictions will continue.
The government order stated that all the international air travel of passengers, excluding those permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, will remain prohibited, reported the Hindu BusinessLine.
The administration took the decision to extend the lockdown citing rise in fresh Covid-19 cases. The government further issued guidelines for enforcing the 'Test-Track-Treat' (TTT) protocol as advised by the MHA on March 23.
Test-Track-Treat protocol:
Test: Under this protocol, the administration will ensure that the tests being conducted are uniformly distributed across all districts. The test will be enhanced in districts reporting a higher number of cases upto 70 percent or more, while those districts where the proportion of tests is less, should rapidly increase testing.
Track: Those found positive with Covid-19, should be isolated/quarantined at the earliest. The new protocol advices demarcation of containment zones and a follow up of positive persons with tracking, identification and quarantine for 14 days.
Treat: Under this, the administration is trying to ensure quick isolation of Covid-19 patients in treatment facilities/home. The aim is to administer clinical interventions and avail them all Covid-related health and logistics infrastructure support.
Among other things, the administration ruled that districts should strictly enforce wearing of face masks; hand hygiene and social distancing. It also asked violators to be fined.
Earlier on Tuesday, Tamil Nadu reported 2,342 new cases, taking the state tally to 8,84,094. The number of active cases stand at 14,846, while 16 deaths were reported.
