Reiterating that his government's top priority is battling the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has on Friday issued a fresh order to the party's ministers and MLAs to avoid all kinds of grand reception while arriving at their respective districts for Covid related duties. 

He said that no reception should be extended to ministers and MLAs visiting the districts. In a statement, the Chief Minister had recalled that he had told the ministers and MLAs to visit the districts and constituencies to execute the COVID-19 preventive works. He said, "There is information about a reception being extended to ministers and MLAs. Such reception should be avoided during the pandemic."

"Banners and welcome arches should be strictly avoided", Stalin added. He had directed the ministers and MLAs to refrain from such receptions and castigate the people who violate the orders and COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government. The Chief Minister said that full attention must be on the responsibility to save the lives of people at this time of crisis. 

He said, "Let us capture the hearts of the people with our actions and earn their love with our achievements." Stalin has also requested his visitors, who would come either to greet or to contribute to the CM's public relief fund, not to present him shawls and bouquets. He said that everyone knows that he constantly insists that these things should be avoided, and books should be given.

Earlier, MK Stalin has appointed his cabinet ministers for the worst affected districts by COVID-19 to expedite the containment efforts and measures to contain the spread. Several ministers and legislators have been visiting their deputed areas of duties and monitoring the on-ground situation of the pandemic and strengthening the measures and surveillance to contain the spread and to ensure that the people adhere to the restrictions and guidelines. 

Stalin's order has come a day after the state government has said that it will be tightening the restrictions and the government has deployed additional police officials to Chennai and other districts to enforce the lockdown and restrictions strictly. The Chennai police commissioner has on Thursday said that strict action will be taken against the people who were found to be violating the COVID-19 norms and restrictions. 

On Thursday, Tamil Nadu has reported 30,621 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day rise recorded by the state since the outbreak began. The state has reported 19,287 discharges and 297 deaths on Thursday. Overall, the state has recorded 14,99,485 COVID-19 cases so far as of Thursday of which 1,83,772 are active, 12,98,945 have been discharged, and 16,768 had succumbed to the viral infection.