New Government Guidelines
and official communications from the Working Committee
Lockdown press release 20.06.21
Dear Community,
This is to inform you that the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has issued a press release extending the full lockdown until 28-06-2021 at 6-00 am (see link ). There are no particular changes regarding how our internal distribution outlets can function; parcel service from eateries can now operate from 6 am to 9 pm.
There are, however, a few general relaxations that are listed below:
- Separate/standalone grocery, vegetable, meat and fish shops will be allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.
- Pedestrian stalls selling vegetables, fruits and flowers will be allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.
- In hotels, restaurants and bakeries, only parcel service is allowed from 6.00 am to 9.00 pm. All E-commerce companies that distribute food through E-commerce will be allowed to operate only at the above times.
- All other E-commerce service companies can operate from 06.00 am to 09.00 pm.
- Shops selling sweets and snacks items will be allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 9.00 pm.
- All other shops and stores, including those selling vehicles, are allowed to open from 9 am to 5 pm.
- Travel to Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri, Courtallam areas will be allowed with an e-pass for emergency reasons.
- Travel for weddings will be allowed with an e-pass between 27 districts.
- All essential government departments will be allowed to operate with 100% staff.
- Other government offices will be allowed to operate with 50% staff.
- Sub-Registrar's Offices will be allowed to function fully.
- All private companies will be allowed to operate with 33% employees.
- Export companies, input manufacturing companies for export companies are allowed to continue to operate with 100% staff. Other factories will be allowed to operate with 33% employees. Relevant SOP's must be followed.
- Shops selling electrical goods, bulbs, cables, switches and wires are allowed to operate from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- All types of construction will be allowed, while following relevant SOP's.
- Administrative work related to student admission will be allowed in schools, colleges, universities and training centers.
- Permission to operate sports training boards from 6.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- From 6.00 am to 5.00 pm, open air games will be allowed without spectators.
Please remember to continue to apply all due precautions of wearing masks and maintaining distance when interacting with others and in public spaces/facilities, and regularly washing hands or using sanitizer.
With best wishes to all.
The Working Committee
(Anu, Arun, Chali, Hemant, Partha, Sauro, Srimoyi)
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Lockdown press release 11.06.21
This is to inform you that the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has issued a press release extending the full lockdown until 21-06-2021 at 6-00 am (see link ). There are no particular changes regarding how our internal distribution outlets or eateries can function. They will continue to function in the same manner as this week.
There are, however, a few general relaxations that are listed below:
- Beauty parlours, saloons and spas will be allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 5.00 pm on condition that only 50 per cent of the customers are allowed at a time without air conditioning.
- Government Parks, the parks and playgrounds under the control of local authorities will be allowed only for walking exercise and only from 6.00 am to 9.00 am.
- Agricultural equipment, pump set repair shops (not sales outlets) will be allowed to operate from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- Spectacle sales and repair shops will be allowed to operate from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
- Manufacture and sale of pottery and handicrafts will be allowed to operate from 6.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- Repair shops for home appliances such as mixers, grinders and televisions will be allowed to operate from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
- Shops selling mobile phones and related products will be allowed to operate from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
- Shops selling construction materials will be allowed to operate from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
- Home appliance stores, including mixer, grinder, fridge and TV, will be allowed to operate from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.
- Administrative work related to student admission will be allowed in schools, colleges and universities.
- Export companies, companies that manufacture and deliver goods to export companies, will be allowed to operate with 50% of employees by following standard operating procedures.
- At present, other factories will be allowed to work with 33% of employees by following standard operating procedures.
- Workers working in factories were already allowed to go to work in four-wheelers. At present, they will be allowed to go to work on their two-wheelers with e-registration and factory-issued ID card.
- Only 20% of employees or 10 people will be allowed to work in IT / IT service companies.
- Housing Financial Company (HFCs) Non-Bank Financial Companies (NBFCs) and all Insurance Companies will be allowed to operate with 33 percent employees.
With best wishes to all.
The Working Committee
(Anu, Arun, Chali, Hemant, Partha, Sauro, Srimoyi)
Update on lockdown (press release of 5-6-2021)
Dear Community Members,
The Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has announced in a press release of the 5th June (see at this link) extension of lockdown in Tamil Nadu until 14 June at 6 a.m while allowing certain relaxations in parts of the State that include our district of Villupuram.
Under the new guidelines, from the 7th of June (Monday) it will be possible for our food outlets to function as per their normal timings:
PTPS will be open from 9 am to 4 pm, Hers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and PTDC will send a separate announcement to its participants. Eateries can continue to function for take-away or delivery only, as per previous timings of 6 a.m to 9 a.m, 12 noon to 3.00 pm, and 6 pm to 9 pm.
We request everyone not to rush all at once to the food outlets so that large crowds don't gather at these places. Unless you have urgent needs to fill, please try to give some space and time for a steady flow of shoppers to take place.
Below are some of the key changes in the overall guidelines:
· Vehicle repair shops can operate from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Stand-alone vegetable/fruit, grocery, fish, and meat shops can operate from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Florists and sidewalk shops can open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Government offices are allowed to operate with 30 percent of the staff.
· Pharmacies and petrol bunks continue to operate.
· Self-employed workers such as Electricians, Plumbers, and Computer Technicians can work from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with E-Registration.
· Auto parts stores, hardware stores, and bookstores selling textbooks and stationery are allowed to operate from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Two-wheeler dealerships are not allowed.
· Two passengers in autos and three passengers in taxis are allowed.
· Travel to Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud and Kutralam only allowed for essential needs (E-PASS compulsory).
Please remember to continue to apply all due precautions of wearing masks and maintaining distance when interacting with others and in public spaces/facilities, and regularly washing hands or using sanitizer.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend a big and heartfelt '"thank you" to all those who have worked so hard in the last 2 weeks to ensure that food and other essential supplies were still available during the full lockdown!
With best wishes to all,
The Working Committee
(Anu, Arun, Chali, Hemant, Partha, Sauro, Srimoyi)
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Update on vaccinations 2-6-2921
Dear Community,
In response to the many emails we have received sharing experiences of trying to get vaccinated and asking for clarifications, we would like to share the following:
- It seems it is no longer possible for Tamil Nadu residents below the age of 45 to be vaccinated in Pondicherry centers. Even if you have registered and received an appointment online, if you don't have proof of residency in Pondicherry and you are below the age of 45, when you go to the vaccination site you will most likely be turned away.
- The closest vaccination points in Tamil Nadu are in Vanur and in Kilianur for 45+ only. Those between 18 and 45 will have to wait until the TN government changes the current age threshold. For our elderly and those who need special care, please contact santecoordination@
auroville.org.in for help with logistics such as transport and registration.
- Please note that we have just been informed by the BMO that there is currently a shortage of vaccines in Tamil Nadu that may last until at least the 7th of June.
- In both Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, the waiting time for the 2nd vaccination is around 3 months.
- The local health authorities are organizing camps in the neighboring villages on a regular basis and we are in discussion with them to plan camps in locations that are easily accessible and with enough advance notice that the community can be informed.
- Please be aware that, if you are intending to travel, it is advised that you check that the vaccine you receive here is approved by the country to which you will be traveling.
As we have said before, we realize that there are different points of view about whether or not to get the vaccines and we respect the right to have those different views. Therefore, this is a personal choice that each individual makes, hopefully after having informed themselves of pros and cons, and making a conscious decision one way or another.
With best wishes,
Sante Coordination Team and the Working Committee
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26 May 2021
In response to requests we have received, we would like to share an update about Covid positive cases in Auroville.
Since March 2021 there have been a total of 86 positive cases. Out of those, 63 have recovered, 21 are currently active and there have been 2 deaths due to Covid related complications. Out of the 21 currently active cases, 6 are asymptomatic and 15 have symptoms to some degree, requiring medical monitoring and treatment as decided between a doctor and the patient.
We will try to post a weekly update about cases but we will not be posting new bulletins for every new case so please check the quarantine list (updated daily) regularly. Link to the quarantine sheet- https://drive.google.
We take this opportunity to remind everyone of the symptoms of Covid (as per WHO website and cross checked with mygov.in and CDC website):
The common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
Fever, Dry cough, Fatigue, Loss of taste or smell, Nasal congestion, Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes), Sore throat, Headache, Muscle or joint pain, Different types of skin rash, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhoea, Chills or dizziness.
Additional symptoms may include:
Irritability, Confusion, Brain fog, Anxiety, Depression, Sleep disorders
Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:
Shortness of breath, loss of appetite, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, High temperature (above 38 °C).
If you are experiencing these symptoms, please isolate yourself and call Sante or the Health Center during normal working hours for a teleconsultation with a doctor, and follow his/her advice for testing and/or treatment.
If a Covid test is advised and prescribed by a doctor, Sante Coordination team should be contacted (santecoordination@auroville.
Please continue to respect all precautions to reduce the spread of the virus in and around Auroville: wear masks in all public places and when in proximity to others, maintain a physical distance of at least 2 m, and wash or sanitize hands frequently.
Thank you for your patience and support in these challenging times!
With best wishes,
The Working Committee and Sante Coordination Team
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