In a new statement, the Tamil Nadu government has ordered the closure of all theatres malls, amusement parks, swimming pools, gymnasiums, zoos, and museums across the state until March 31, as a preventive measure in the wake of the global coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier, the government had ordered shut theatres and shopping malls in 16 taluks which bordered other states — Theni, Kanyakumari, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tirupathur, Ranipettai, Erode, Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Virudhunagar — until March 31.

The latest order will affect the release of films like Yogi Babu’s Cocktail, Jyothika’s Ponamagal Vandhal, Vijay Varadharaj’s Pallu Padama Pathuko. Films like Kaval Thurai Ungal had already decided to push their releases before the order. 

While several major Bollywood and Hollywood releases like Sooryavanshi, Sir, Fast and Furious 9, and several Disney films have already been postponed, the fate of Tamil biggies like Master and Soorarai Potru, scheduled for release in April, is not known yet. 

Notably, several states across India have already ordered similar closures to curb the spread of COVID-19.