Why can't Chennai alone be under lockdown, Madras HC asks Tamil Nadu govt

Observing that COVID-19 situation in city and its suburbs is alarming in view of rising cases, Madras High Court on Thursday asked why can't complete lockdown be implemented for some time to contain spread of pandemic.

Despite steps taken by Tamil Nadu government to contain COVID-19 spread, everyday number of cases is "steeply rising and situation has become alarming" particularly in metropolis and its outskirts, a bench of justices Vineet Kothari and R Suresh Kumar said.

"refore, we want to kw wher government has devised any special scheme, which includes complete lockdown or curfew to contain spread in Chennai and surrounding areas for sometime," judges asked state government leader V Jayaprakash Narayan during virtual court proceedings after concluding listed cases.

judges made it clear y raised question about lockdown as citizens of state and city in interest of public and were t initiating any public interest litigation (PIL) proceedings 'suo motu' (on its own).

With nearly 26,000 cases, metropolis accounts for over 70 per cent of state's tally and rising number of deaths (326) too worried court. Responding to court's query, pleader sought time till Friday for getting instructions from government, if any.

However, he pointed to guidelines issued when government extended lockdown till June 30 in state and anunced various relaxations, including allowing public transport in or parts of state.

" furr decision has been taken. I will get instructions from special officer J Radhakrishnan, who has been appointed to coordinate COVID-19 work in Chennai, and or officials on latest development by tomorrow," pleaded added.

In latest lockdown relaxations, state government has allowed functioning of shops, dine-in services in hotels and private sector offices with more workforce, but barred public transport buses and trains in city and neighbouring three districts where case load is high.

government has recently appointed a group of ministers to monitor containment activities in city. Adjoining districts of Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur, where city's suburbs fall, have also reported large number of COVID-19 cases.

(Photo Credit: PTI)