Final year undergraduate courses in all Tamil Nadu colleges and universities and medical courses (undergraduate and postgraduate), with the exception of containment zones, will begin from December 7, said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. Classes for the first-year college students' classes for the academic year will, however, start from February 1.
While he extended the lockdown till December 31, the CM announced that the hostels will also start functioning soon. He also added that medical colleges and other health science colleges will reopen for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses from December 7. But the CM also said that the freshers will be allowed on campus only from February 1.
In a statement issued here, Palaniswami said based on the discussions with medical, public health experts and District Collectors to prevent coronavirus spread, the Covid-19 lockdown is extended till December 31 from November 30. According to Palanswami, barring the Covid-19 containment zones the following relaxations are applicable along with the existing ones:
* Swimming pools for training purposes will be allowed to function following standard operating procedures (SOP).
* Marina and other beaches will be open for public from December 12 depending on the coronavirus spread subject to following SOP.
* Exhibition halls will be allowed to function only for business to business purposes after following SOP.
* Indoor social, political and religious congregations allowed subject to 50 per cent seating capacity and not exceeding 200 persons from Tuesday to December 31. Permission from the District Collectors and from Greater Chennai Police (for Chennai meetings) are necessary.
* Based on the coronavirus spread, permission for outdoor meetings will be decided.
* The existing system of E-registration for those coming to Tamil Nadu from states other than Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Union Territory of Puducherry would continue.
