CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government is likely to extend the lockdown by another week with more easing of curbs in districts that have reported fall in cases.
The government is also exploring the possibility of permitting private establishments and industries to restart operation with minimal workforce to unlock the economy.
There was a suggestion too about reopening Tasmac (liquor) outlets in select districts.
Chief minister M K Stalin would make a formal announcement on Friday.
On Thursday, Stalin convened a review meeting with officials on the outcome of the three-week-long intense lockdown.
Chief secretary V Irai Anbu and DGP J K Tripathy were present during the review meeting.
The health sector got a breather with daily cases falling to 16,813 on Thursday, which is “comparatively low” than the situation in the month of May.
The total number of vacant oxygen, non-oxygen and ICU beds were 47,568.
The daily cases recorded on May 21 were 36,184.
The state is keen on containing the spread in 11 districts in the western and eastern regions.
Health minister Ma Subramanian said the pandemic has been brought under control in 25 districts.
The minister said nine districts needed special attention.
Four others districts showed fluctuation in numbers.
The industries department had recommended to the state about reopening industries with minimal workforce following several representations from the sector.
The state government has so far allowed continuous process industries and industries manufacturing essential commodities to function.
Export units that have commitments or orders and their vendor units were also permitted to function with 50% workforce in all districts, except Coimbatore, Tirupur, Salem, Karur, Erode, Namakkal, Trichy and Madurai.
“There have been representations from the manufacturing sector to open the units with 50% workforce.
The government is considering such an option in districts where the caseload is low,” said a source.
Last week, the CII-Tamil Nadu members met the industries minister and demanded that the government intervene since the continuous shutting down of units across the state would impact supplies.
Citing the drastic fall in caseload in several districts, the industrialists made a strong case for reopening all the units.
“The state has to take a lenient approach.
Otherwise, economic growth will be hampered.
As of now, markets are doing good.
Whether consumer goods or textiles, spinning mills or cement, there is a good aggregate demand in the market.
Indefinite lockdown will lead to supply-side issues,” said CII Tamil Nadu former chairman Hari K Thiagarajan, who batted for “a localised approach” in lockdown measures.