Tamil Nadu extends lockdown till April 30 as COVID-19 cases rise to 1173

The other six cases were secondary contacts and included doctors and medical staff, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said.

The state on Sunday registered 106 fresh cases.

Of the 98 positive cases, as many as 92 of them were 'same source' contacts, she said, an apparent reference to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the national capital. The number of discharged has increased to 58, she added.

Tamil Nadu joined the growing list of states to prolong curfew. It became the sixth state to do so after Punjab, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra & West Bengal.

In a statement issued on Monday, Palaniswami said that based on the recommendation made by expert group and the decision taken at the cabinet meeting held on April 11, the lockdown has been extended.

He also said rice and one kg sugar/oil/dal will be given free of cost to ration card holders for May.

Palaniswami also said Rs 1,000 will be paid to construction workers and members of various sectoral welfare boards.

Similarly, migrant workers will be issued 15kg rice, 1 kg dal and one kg cooking oil free of cost.

According to him, based on requests, bakeries will be allowed to function between 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and they can do only parcel sales.

Palaniswami said the government has made arrangement with Telemedicine Society of India so that people can do get clarifications.