Tamil Nadu government has, on Monday, extended the state-wide lockdown till July 31 even as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state crossed 82,000-mark.
The decision comes despite the recommendation by the expert committee set up to advise the state government on tackling COVID-19 that it is in favour of restrictions based on the scenario in specific regions instead of an extension on the state-wide lockdown.
The government has withdrawn from Thursday inter-district public transport bus services, earlier allowed in most parts of the state, under the 'Unlock 1.0'. Public transport bus services had not been allowed in Chennai and three neighbouring districts.
According to sources, complete lockdown will be in place across the state on all Sundays in the month of July.
The state government had on May 31 announced further extension of the COVID-19 lockdown till June 30 but with more relaxations including partially opening up public transport and allowing more employees at workplace.
Meanwhile, a single-day spike of 19,459 COVID-19 cases took India's tally to 5,48,318 on Monday, while the death toll climbed to 16,475 with 380 new fatalities. This is the sixth consecutive day that coronavirus infections have increased by more than 15,000. The country has seen a surge of 3,57,783 infections from June 1 till date.
(With PTI inputs)
