‘Full lockdown’ scare slows Chennai-Vellore traffic

Vellore

According to senior officials in Vellore, a total lockdown could be the only way to contain the spread of coronavirus to other districts by restraining people returning from or exiting Chennai. In Vellore, locals claimed that even those who have returned from Chennai with e-passes hide their health condition during the door-to-door check by corporation officials here.

A top district official said, “After the New Delhi conference and Koyambedu clusters, it is now the Chennai cluster which is causing worry among the length and breadth of the State. We all wonder why the government has not taken stringent steps in the State capital.”

“Though e-pass is mandatory for those leaving Chennai to other districts, what is worrisome is that many families travel on two-wheelers to reach Vellore or beyond and seeing their plight, officials at Pillayarkuppam checkpost on Vellore district border are hesitant to send them back to Chennai,” said an official.

Collector A Shanmuga Sundaram pointed out, “The Vellore district administration has been refusing to clear e-pass for travel from Chennai, unless it is an emergency case. Affirmation from both sides, the place of origin and destination, is a must for issuance of e-pass.”