State gives nod to reopen public libraries from Sept 1

“Various organisations have requested to reopen the libraries for the welfare of the public. The government after considering the proposals issue orders permitting all libraries, except part time libraries, to function from September 1 onwards,” Chief Secretary K Shanmugam said in the order.

Following this, about 4,000 libraries in the State will start functioning again after five months. Shanmugam added only lending section, reference section and own book reading section would be permitted to function in Connemara Public Library, Anna Centenary Library, district central libraries and full time branch libraries.

Lending section alone would be permitted to function in branch and village libraries. All libraries, expect branch libraries and village libraries, would function from 8 am to 2 pm on all working days. Branch libraries and village libraries would function as per their usual working hours, before 2 pm, on all working days.

Meanwhile, the State government issued another order exempting all the business travellers visiting the State from quarantine norms if they are intending only a short stay of 72 hours. According to Revenue Secretary Atulya Misra, the announcement would give a “positive boost to the industry and economy sentiment”.