All places of worship in the state will be closed to the public from January 4 to 18, the government said on Monday. There will also be a total lockdown on January 16, Sunday.

This means people cannot go to temples on Pongal day and those returning from the festival break won’t be able to travel that Sunday.

Getting a bus like has also become harder as the government has restricted occupancy in all government (Pongal special buses to 75%. The number of bus services has not been increased. On Monday, the transport department reiterated that it would not operate any more buses over the number announced last month.

An official release from chief minister M K Stalin’s office on Monday night said all other existing lockdown retractions will be followed across TN.

The state advised commercial establishments and shops to provide hand sanitisers and thermal screening and ensure that staff always wear masks it warmed violators of penal action, including temporary closure notices to repeat offenders. The Chief minister requested the public not to panic as all medical infrastructure was in place to treat.