Summary:
Chennai, Oct 14 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday lifted the restriction on weekend worship in temples with effect from today and also permitted all shops including restaurants and bakeries to function till 11 pm.
The restriction on visiting the beaches on weekends, too, has been relaxed.
Tuition centres and job fairs, as well, can be conducted by adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols, the government said.
Chief Minister M K Stalin, who reviewed the pandemic situation in Tamil Nadu and also the conditions prevailing in the neighbouring States with senior officials, made the announcement on allowing worship in temples on all days in the week.
Reacting to his gesture, BJP state chief K Annamalai said the State government has allowed the opening of temples on all days for worship.
"This is what the BJP has been insisting all along and staged a protest on October 7, across the State," Annamalai said and "sincerely thanked" the Chief Minister and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister P K Sekar Babu for "acceding to the people"s wish." Following the government"s announcement, HR & CE Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran directed the joint commissioners and assistant commissioners to make necessary arrangements.