Update: Nilgiris Collector Innocent J Divya has announced that the district is closed to tourists at the moment. She clarified that Nilgiris is currently open only for those travelling for business and work, and that tourist spots in the district will remain shut.
Tamil Nadu may have extended the lockdown in the state till 30 September, amid a continued rise in coronavirus cases, but it has made several concessions: Chennai metro services will resume, hotels can reopen as can places of worship. To keep the pandemic in check, a new protocol for quarantine and testing will be issued for international and domestic air travellers and rail passengers. Here are the key updates for travellers.
Tamil Nadu lockdown: when do you need an e-pass
The state has partially eased restrictions on travel to and within the state.
An e-pass is no longer necessary for intrastate and interstate travel by road. But there is an exception...
Visitors to Ooty, Yercaud, Kodaikanal, Nilgiris and other hill stations will require an e-pass.
Travel by air and rail will continue to be regulated. You will need an e-pass to travel to Tamil Nadu by air or rail.
Tamil Nadu lockdown: what is allowed in September
Intra-state bus services can resume from 1 September.
Chennai metro services can resume from 7 September.
Hotels, resorts and recreation clubs can resume operations by following SOPs.
Places of worship can reopen from 1 September.
Shopping malls, showrooms and big formal stores can operate with 100 percent staff
Shops outside containment zones can stay open till 8pm.
Industries, government offices and banks can function with 100 percent staff, up from 50 percent earlier. Though all workplaces have been advised to continue work-from-home wherever possible.
Inter-state trains can resume services on select routes. The announcement will be made after 15 September.
Fifty incoming flights will be allowed to land at Chennai airport every day, up from 25 currently.
The airports at Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Thoothukudi and Salem can continue to receive only 25 flights a day.
Shooting for movies can resume with a maximum of 75 crew members on set.
Chennai metropolitan bus services can resume operations from 1 September.
Tamil Nadu lockdown: what is not allowed
Sets cannot allow spectators while shooting.
Cinema halls, swimming pools, amusement parks, beaches, zoos, museums, tourist spots, cannot open until further orders.
Schools, colleges and other educational institutes will remain closed until further notice.
Suburban train services remain suspended.