Lockdown on for day two, Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami says it is a 'speed breaker'

As lockdown without relaxations continued for day two here, Chief Minister K Palaniswami described it as a 'speed breaker', saying curbs were being used to furr augment detection of COVID-19 cases in Chennai by conducting more door to door surveys and fever camps.

All measures are in place for both early identification and treatment of people who test positive, he told reporters after inspecting quarantine amenities at Guru Nanak School in Velachery here.

12-day lockdown, which came into effect on Friday, is being implemented here and in parts of neighbouring Chengelpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. Only essential services are allowed and vegetable shops and groceries can function only from 6 am to 2 pm.

Ahead of curbs, relaxations were in place for most segments with exception of only schools and or educational institutions. While roads were deserted, corporation's health personnel could be seen going on with ir routine exercise of finding out people with symptoms.

Police said action againstviolators of lockdown continued and ir vehicles were being seized.Palaniswami said, " lockdown is like a speed breaker," adding curbs were to ensure that people stayed indoors and supported efforts aimed at detecting symptoms and providing treatment, if needed.

government was using lockdown period to furr augment testing and treatment, he said. "This lockdown is t to trouble anyone, but to stop spread of virus. If those with symptoms step out, n it will spread to ors as well.

If people stay indoors during lockdown, re won't be spread of virus," he said. Chief Minister appealed to people to extend ir full cooperation to government's efforts in combating virus by wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

He said government has effectively utilised both current and previous spells of lockdown to augment detection and treatment of positive virus cases. fever camps in Chennai have been increased to 527 on Friday from about 350 in recent past and those having COVID-19 symptoms were being treated, Chief Minister said.

"Only God kws when COVID-19 pandemic will come to an end," he said when reporters sought to kw when spread would end. "Neir I r you kw. I am t a doctor. Medical experts, even WHO and union health ministry say pandemic will gradually decline and can't be eradicated.

only way out w for us is to exercise self discipline and take precautions," he said. About 8.27 lakh samples for COVID-19 have been tested, which was highest in India, Palaniswami said.

Also, Tamil Nadu has 83 testing centres, highest in country, with 45 in government and 38 in private sectors. Asked wher higher education minister K P Anbazhagan was infected with virus, he shot back asking, "has he t said in an interview that he does t have it? What more can I add to that?"

(Photo Credit: PTI)