Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Wednesday indicated that the ongoing lockdown could be lifted "gradually" and sought people's cooperation to restore normalcy post-lockdown.
Listing his government's various steps to resume economic activities, besides ensuring that the people did not suffer during the lockdown, he also stressed people's cooperation was important.
"People should extend total cooperation (to the government).. following the kind of cooperation extended by you, the lockdown can be withdrawn gradually," he said.
The chief minister made the remarks at a review meeting of district collectors and other officials chaired by him to take stock of the COVID-19 prevention activites at the Secretariat here.
Tamil Nadu is one of the worst affected states in the country vis-a-vis coronavirus, with the number of cases standing in excess of 8,000.
His statement also comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there will be a fourth phase of the lockdown, which will be very different from the earlier three phases.
The third phase of the lockdown is scheduled to end on May 17 and guidelines for the fourth phase of lockdown are likely to be released before May 18.
Palaniswami further said his government's efforts have resulted in people having access to essential items, even as it was reaching out to various sections of the society like guest workers, destitutes and the poor through distribution of dry ration as well as providing food through Amma Canteens and community kitchens.