Rising number of social gatherings worries officials

Strict levy of fines has not been a deterrent in city

With the threat of a third wave of COVID-19 looming large, the civic authorities are concerned that the city is witnessing a large number of socio-cultural events and religious and marriage functions, in violation of the norms stipulated by the State government.

A senior official of the Greater Chennai Corporation said that while a team of civic officials has been conducting surprise inspections and levying fines, this has failed to deter large gatherings at marriages and religious and socio-cultural events. People seem to ignore the threat of these events turning into super spreaders, leading to COVID-19 clusters and eventually a possible third wave of the pandemic.

The senior civic official reiterated that the State government had made some relaxations, mainly allowing cinemas to function with 50% capacity. No entertainment and cultural events were permitted in any community halls. However, beaches (except Sundays), religious places (to remain closed from Fridays to Sundays), hostels, swimming pools that too only for sports competitions, creche, zoos, and lodges, are allowed to function.