The Tamil Nadu government has extended the coronavirus lockdown till December 31 with several new relaxations in restrictions. This include opening of beaches to public, reopening of select classes, and permission for political meeting, albeit with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. The public is advised to continue to wear masks, wash hands with soap and follow physical distancing.

Here are the highlights:

- Classes may be reopened for final-year UG students of arts and science, technical, agricultural, fisheries and veterinary  programmes in all colleges and universities from December 7.

- Classes may be reopened for UG and PG medical programmes from December 7 by complying the SOP; however, classes for the 2020-21 batch to commence only from February 1, 2021.

- Swimming pools can be opened for sports training purposes.

- Beaches to be opened up to public. People may visit Marina and other beaches from December 14 depending on the spread of COVID-19 and by complying the SOP.

- Social, political, recreational and religious meetings in auditoriums to be allowed but only with 50% of its seating capacity (or a max of 200 persons) between December 1 and 30 by complying with the SOP.

- Exhibition halls may be reopened only for business purposes and by complying the SOP.

- Mandatory e-registration for movement into the State (except from Puducherry, AP, Karnataka) to continue.

The Tamil Nadu government has extended the coronavirus lockdown till December 31 with several new relaxations in restrictions. This include opening of beaches to public, reopening of select classes, and permission for political meeting, albeit with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. The public is advised to continue to wear masks, wash hands with soap and follow physical distancing.

Here are the highlights:

- Classes may be reopened for final-year UG students of arts and science, technical, agricultural, fisheries and veterinary  programmes in all colleges and universities from December 7.

- Classes may be reopened for UG and PG medical programmes from December 7 by complying the SOP; however, classes for the 2020-21 batch to commence only from February 1, 2021.

- Swimming pools can be opened for sports training purposes.

- Beaches to be opened up to public. People may visit Marina and other beaches from December 14 depending on the spread of COVID-19 and by complying the SOP.

- Social, political, recreational and religious meetings in auditoriums to be allowed but only with 50% of its seating capacity (or a max of 200 persons) between December 1 and 30 by complying with the SOP.

- Exhibition halls may be reopened only for business purposes and by complying the SOP.

- Mandatory e-registration for movement into the State (except from Puducherry, AP, Karnataka) to continue.