COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 FAQs for Auroville Residents PDF (4 pages)

COVID-19 Home Isolation Guidelines PDF (1 page)

COVID Testing Protocol PDF (1 page)

Vaccination Places PDF (2 pages)

May 17, 2021

Nolly leaves her body

This is to inform the community that today, 17 May, at around 3pm, Dutch Aurovilian Nolly Senden, passed away in Jipmer at the age of 85 due to a stroke caused by a blood clot originated through Covid.

Nolly joined Auroville in 1992 and was instrumental in getting the Pitanga building up, thus initiating the hatha yoga world into Auroville. She later also served many years as executive of SEWA.

Nolly’s remains will be cremated by Jipmer today. Further info will be posted on Auronet in due time.

OM~

Renzo of Vikas passes away

This is to inform the community that Aurovilian Renzo Pezzato left his body at JIPMER yesterday evening, May 16th, at 9.47pm, after a struggle with Covid-19. He was 67 years old.

Italian Renzo came here in 2019, joined in 2020 and worked mainly with Luigi’s Auroservice.

The body will be cremated by Jipmer today. Further info may follow on Auronet.

OM~

May 16, 2021

Timings for food outlets

Dear Community,

As communicated earlier, you may find at this link [...] the full press release of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with the English translation listing all the new restrictions applicable from 15th May 2021.

Following the issuing of these guidelines HERS will be open from 6 am to 10 am and PTPS from 7 am to 10 am.

PTDC will directly communicate its timing and other modalities to its members.

We understand that these restrictions are affecting everyone and we kindly request patience and cooperation.

We would like to thank all those who are working in our food outlets to have agreed to adjust the opening times in order to reduce the unavoidable inconvenience for all.

The list of restrictions does not include eateries so therefore they can continue to function according to the existing guidelines for delivery and takeaway only (6 am to 10 am, 12 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm).

With best wishes to all,

~ The Working Committee

May 15, 2021

New restrictions in Tamil Nadu

Dear Community,

The Tamil Nadu government has announced that new restrictions will be implemented in Tamil Nadu from today, May 15th. The announcement came in the night through an official press release of the state government. We will upload the full text at the earliest.

The key change is that grocery shops may be open from 6 am to 10.00 am only. However, we request you not to overcrowd PTDC, PTPS and HERS today because we are trying to make an arrangement with the concerned authorities to remain open at least today with the existing timings in order to have time to transition to a new system.

Restaurants for delivery will continue as per the usual timings and pharmacies may remain open as usual.

Please see below more details of the new guidelines:

• Shops selling groceries, vegetables, meat and fish are allowed to operate only till 10.00 am. Only 50% of customers allowed at a time.
• Tea shops will not be allowed to operate.
• All shops except grocery, vegetable, meat and fish shops are prohibited from opening.
• E-pass is compulsory to travel between districts from May 17 in Tamil Nadu; E-registration system is mandatory for travel within and between districts.
• ATMs, petrol stocks, medical, country drug stores are allowed to open as usual.
• Pedestrian stalls selling vegetables, flowers and fruits will not be allowed to operate.
• Distribution through e-commerce companies such as Dunzo is allowed only until 10.00 am.
• Other E-commerce companies will be allowed to operate from 02.00 pm to 06.00 pm.

We will update further as and when needed.

With best wishes to all,

~ The Working Committee

May 14, 2021

Working Committee without secretarial staff / closed till further notice

Dear Community,

This is to inform you that V., one of the Working Committee secretaries (name mentioned with her permission) has tested positive today for Covid 19 with a Rapid Antigen Test. Since the 3 secretaries work very closely together, they will all have to quarantine so the Working Committee office will be closed for at least one week.

Although we have tried to make arrangements for urgent ongoing work, we request everyone to please be patient with what will be unavoidable delays in follow up with topics that are brought to our attention.

Thank you for your understanding.

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee

May 10, 2021

Clarifications concerning the lockdown

Dear Community,

We have received several questions about which we would like to share some clarifications concerning the lockdown.

1. Units: Some of the Auroville units may fall under the categories of industries manufacturing essential commodities such as food industries, export units with exports commitments and export orders, manufacturers of sanitation materials, medical textile, etc. The Unit holders are advised to check the detailed list in the Government Order of Tamil Nadu number 348 of 20th April available at this link to see if they are eligible. Units that are allowed to operate are requested to follow the Standard Operation Procedure indicated in the same document. Units that can operate are requested to provide their workers with their own ID badges.
2. Guest houses: Guesthouses are not allowed to take new guests until further notice but existing guests can continue to stay. Change of guest house from one Auroville Guest House to another is discouraged but possible with the permission of the Working Committee. Guesthouses can provide their workers with their own ID badges.
3. Domestic workers/gardeners: Based on the information we have at the moment there are no restrictions on such workers, but things may change and if so we will inform. Please make sure to take all necessary health and safety precautions at home and to give paid leave if a worker or you have symptoms or if they are unable to get to work due to police checks.
4. Construction: According to the latest government regulations, in house and ongoing construction may continue while following all SOP's and precautions. No new workers from outside of the area should be taken on at this time.

Please note that there is an even stricter lockdown in Pondicherry until 24th May. Shops and restaurants for delivery/takeaway are open until noon only. There may be controls on the street to check on the genuine reason for movements. For the time being the border with Pondicherry is not closed but we will inform if there is any change.

Stay safe and well and keep the faith!

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee

May 8, 2021

Shops to remain open today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) until 9 pm

Dear Community,

Today the Tamil Nadu government announced new restrictions and a full lockdown from 10th to 24th May; details to follow soon. In the meantime, in order to facilitate preparations by the public for the lockdown starting on Monday, the TN Govt has decided to allow shops to remain open today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) until 9 pm.

Best wishes to all,

~ The Working Committee

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a further lockdown

Dear Community,

This is to inform you that the Tamil Nadu government has announced a further lockdown from 4.00 am of Monday 10 May until 4.00 am of Monday 24th.

During this period the following activities may continue to function in Auroville during previously announced timings: Financial Services, Working Committee, Residents' Service, Graphic Section at Town Hall, Santé and Health Center, PTPS, PTDC, HERS, eateries for delivery or takeaway only, essential utilities (waste, electricity, water, telephone, internet), ongoing construction, security, farming.

The key features and the main changes/additions to the existing restrictions are:

• Office and Industry should remain closed except for maintenance work.
• Private and government bus transport, and rental taxis and autos are prohibited within and between districts. Travelers will be allowed to travel to the hospital and for purposes such as marriage, death of a key relative, interview / employment, etc, with documents to support the reason for travel.
• E-commerce services are allowed only for supplying food, groceries, vegetables, meat and fish and not for other items.
• On the days of the lockdown, grocery shops are allowed to function until 12 pm and restaurants only for delivery from 6 am to 10 am, 12 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm.
• Hotels and Lodges are not allowed to operate. They will only be allowed to operate for clients staying for business reasons and for medical purposes.

Please, see the full press release of the Government, specifying all details of the new and ongoing restrictions at this link [...].

We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to please inform santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in if you have been tested on your own, either due to symptoms or suspected contact with someone who tested positive or simply as a precaution. If you have symptoms of Covid 19, please isolate yourself and call Santé during their regular opening times for a teleconsultation.

Stay safe and well!

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

May 6, 2021

Informative note from Santé health practitioners

Dear friends,

The Santé health practitioners have aimed to provide some information / recommendations / advice and tools regarding the prevention and management of CoVid from an integral health perspective.

There are contributions from Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Allopathy, Homeopathy, NLP and Psychotherapy.

Integral Health Recommendations to
maintain Wellbeing during CoVid

PDF (10 pages)

We hope you will find this helpful to dispel fear and to restore faith and trust in your body.

"Remain quiet within, concentrated only on receiving strength and health, confident that we are with you all the time, and you will...be all right."

~ Santé health practitioners

May 5, 2021

New government covid guidelines

Dear Community,

This is to inform you that the Pondicherry government has extended the lockdown there until Monday, 10 May, and the Tamil Nadu government has announced that there will be further restrictions from 6 May until 20 May at 4.00 am. The latest GO from TN Government is available at this link [...], and here is the link [...] to the Pondicherry Govt Go.

A summary of the new restrictions is as follows, as extracted from the government orders:

• All government offices and private offices are allowed to operate with a maximum of 50 per cent staff.

• Only 50 per cent of seats in passenger trains, metro trains, private buses, government buses and rental taxis are allowed for the general public.

• Large shops with a floor area of 3000 sq.ft. and above (big format shops), shopping complexes & malls have already been banned from 26.04.2021. Currently, vegetable stores and grocery stores operating in shopping malls are not permitted. Apart from these, only separate grocery shops and vegetable stalls are allowed to operate till 12.00 noon without air-condition.

Of these, only 50 per cent of customers should be allowed in at a time. Except for the aforementioned grocery and vegetable stores, all other stores are prohibited from opening. Essential functions such as pharmacies and milk supply are allowed to function as usual without any hindrance.

• Only Parcel service/Take away service will be allowed in all Restaurants/Hotels/Mess. Tea shops will be allowed to operate until 12 noon. Sitting and eating in restaurants and tea shops is not allowed. Customers staying in hotels and lodges should be served food in the rooms where they are staying. It is not allowed to sit and eat in restaurants.

• It is prohibited for community, political, sports, entertainment, educational, cultural events and other events in indoor auditoriums and in open spaces. Theaters cannot function.

• At present, only 25 persons are allowed to attend funerals and ceremonies, but now not more than 20 persons are allowed to attend funerals and related ceremonies. Not more than 50 persons are allowed to attend marriages.

• While beauty salons (Spas) are already banned from operating in the Corporation & Municipal areas, beauty salons (Spas) are now also banned from operating in all containment zones in rural areas.

The night curfews and weekend curfews are still in place as previously announced (Saturday and Sunday in Pondicherry, Sunday in Tamil Nadu).

Since our last bulletin, 4 Aurovilians and 1 Newcomer have tested positive and several guests in Serendipity (ex-Joy guesthouse) have also tested positive.

A point of concern is that we have received reports of some people who are in the quarantine list having been seen moving around in Auroville. We request all those who have tested positive, even if asymptomatic, and all those who are primary contacts of someone who has tested positive, to please respect the quarantine requirements. This is one of the most important measures to be taken to break the chain of spread of the virus. If any help is needed while in quarantine, whether medical or for food and other supplies, please contact santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who responded to the call for volunteers. It has been heartening for all involved to feel this support.

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

April 30, 2021

To give some perspective and call...

Dear Community,

In the last 3 days, including today, we have 16 new positive cases (including 2 children) in Auroville, bringing the current total to 31.

To give some perspective, since March 11th of this year, in a period of a little more than 6 weeks, we have had 43 positive cases (including the 16 new ones) while in all the months of the first wave we only had about 20 cases in total. Almost all the cases in the first wave were asymptomatic while most of the cases this time have symptoms to varying degrees. Out of the 43 cases in this wave, 5 have recovered to date and others are on the way to recovery. All cases have had medical consultations and several have required medical intervention by the Ambulance Team.

It is very important to note that most of the 39 positive cases have been infected through contact with another positive case within Auroville, with only a relatively small proportion having a travel history that could account for the infection. This observation makes the process and speed of contact tracing extremely important! TRACK – TRACE – TREAT is the only way to break the chain of the spread of Covid-19. And therefore “Contact Tracing” of a Covid-19 positive person should be carried out as soon as possible. We request everyone to cooperate fully and provide information that is as accurate as possible if you receive a call or an email from a volunteer from Santé Coordination Team who could be doing the contact tracing for a positive case. Having early knowledge of a high-risk contact and isolating oneself, particularly if experiencing symptoms, is essential.

Due to the drastically increased workload that is directly connected to this surge in cases, the strain on those who are managing all levels of the work is reaching a breaking point. There is an urgent need for more people to help. We ask anyone who can help with tasks such as making phone calls and sending out emails for contact tracing, helping with data entry, helping with delivery of instruments and other materials, etc, to please write to santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in.

With all of the above in mind, it is extremely important to break the chain of the spread of Covid-19 in Auroville. In order to do this the following measures must be implemented for at least the next 10 days:

• Minimize interactions/gatherings with others, even in private houses.
• Close all public buildings and spaces, including playgrounds and sports grounds where group sports and games are taking place.
• Units function at 50% capacity.
• Guesthouses to not take new guests during this time period and moving from one guesthouse to another is kept to a minimum.
• Construction sites to pause work.
• Work from home and have meetings online.
• Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, including to Pondy.
• Essential services such as food/grocery outlets, eateries for delivery/takeaway only, financial services, health services, etc, will stay open while ensuring all precautions.
• Services such as Electrical, Telephone, Aurinoco will maintain a level of functioning required to address repairs and other urgent tasks.

Let us all take a conscious break from everything that we are doing currently, and at the same time collectively call for Her protection.

Let's stand together to expel this virus from our community and our surroundings.

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

Dear Community,

Please note that we have revised our instructions regarding construction sites as follows:

Construction sites may function to continue urgent works that are ongoing at the site. All precautions of wearing masks, maintaining distance, especially during lunch and tea breaks, and provision of sanitizer or hand washing facilities at the entrance to the site need to be ensured, as well as SOP's for construction sites that can be found here. Anyone with symptoms should stay at home.

Stay safe and healthy!

Best wishes,

~ The Working Committee

April 28, 2021

Update - more new cases

Dear Community,

Here we are again to inform you of new cases. Yesterday we were informed that 4 more residents have tested positive. They all have mild to moderate symptoms and are in home isolation in the communities of Humility, Kamataru Forest, Alchemy and Forecomers; contact tracing has been done.

The total number of active cases in Auroville is now 15, including the guest in Isaiambalam Guesthouse.

We appreciate that individuals who feel there is reason to be tested are taking the initiative to do so, and trust that all precautions are being taken while getting the tests done. We request those who decide to get tested to inform the Santé Coordination team (santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in) when the test has been taken and of the results.

Although we will continue to update you regularly, in order to try to reduce the frequency of bulletins, we encourage everyone to inform themselves of new cases and contacts by checking the list of those in quarantine here. (Note that access to the list is given only to people with an Auroville email id, hence we request you to use that email as far as possible to access the sheet. Residents who do not have an Auroville email id would need to request access to view the file and we will try our best to accommodate these requests.)

We request everyone to avoid gatherings of any kind, including private parties, to work from home as much as possible, organize needed meetings online rather than in person, and take all due precautions of wearing masks and maintaining distance of 1-2 meters when out in public, both inside and outside of Auroville.

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination team

April 26, 2021

Message from Mr. Srinivasamurty, Secretary In-Charge of the Auroville Foundation

Dear friends,

Please find here below a message of Mr. Srinivasamurty, Secretary In-Charge of the Auroville Foundation, regarding the Covid circumstances.

With regards,

The Working Committee

Dear Members,

In view of the serious situation arising out of the current wave of covid spread, all meetings scheduled or unscheduled with groups or individuals will not happen until further notice.

Office of the Secretary will function with very limited staff for emergency purposes. No visitors will be allowed.

You can contact us through phone or email.

All residents may be advised to stay home safely and follow strictly all precautions of wearing a mask properly, maintain social distancing of 2 meters and hand hygiene if they have to go out for essential services.

The Working Committee may please ensure that no events or gatherings be allowed on Auroville campus or premises and absolutely no parties specially after 10pm, which will be viewed seriously. Restrictions as per the TN government notification will have to adhered to without any relaxation or compromise.

The Working Committee may kindly inform all other relevant committees & groups for compliance. Our concerned department & section in the Ministry of Education are also marked for kind information.

Sincerely,

Srinivasmurty

Secretary I/C

Covid-19: FAQs For Auroville Residents (from Santé)

COVID-19 FAQs for Auroville Residents

PDF (4 pages)

All important phone numbers and working hours are given at the end of this document

All major hospitals that are designated for treating Covid-19 patients in and around Auroville/Pondicherry are overloaded and are concentrating their attention and resources on handling very critical cases of Covid-19 ONLY.

Our own internal resources for dealing with Covid-19 are very limited, both physically and medically. However, we are trying to help you to the best of our ability.

Q. I have Covid-19 like symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, body-ache, loss of smell, loss of taste.

Please call Santé Reception during working hours (see below for hours and numbers) and share your information with the receptionist. The Santé Receptionist will schedule a call back for you from the doctor on duty as soon as possible.

Due to the highly contagious nature of Covid-19 and limited medical staff, a doctor or nurse will probably not be able to visit you in person, and neither should you visit Santé.

Q. I am very sick with Covid-19 like high fever above 39.0 °C (or 102.2 °F), persistent cough, breathlessness , feeling very restless, tired/exhausted, low on energy.

Please call the Ambulance Dispatch. The ambulance duty person will evaluate your symptoms and organise a priority call back from a Doctor or if needed, and based on resources available, organise a priority visit to your location if stabilisation or admission is required.

Q. I don't feel well at all.

Please call the Ambulance Dispatch. The ambulance duty person will evaluate your symptoms and organise a priority call back from a Doctor or if needed, and based on resources available, organise a priority visit to your location if stabilisation or admission is required.

Q. I am in quarantine/isolation and I need non-medical help at home.

Please call the Santé Covid-19 Coordination number. Please let the Coordinator know if you can’t isolate at home.

For groceries - here are the details for the Basket service. Check out the guidelines for delivery link

PTPS:

Contact Person: Kala

Email: ptpservice (at) auroivlle.org.in

landline: 0413- 2622152

Web: https://consciously.auroville.org.in

Hers:

Contact Person: Thulasi

Email: hers (at) auroville.org.in

Phone: +91-7598553406

Web: https://consciously.auroville.org.in

Delivery to be organised by family or friends till they get volunteers.

PTDC:

Contact Person: Arul

Email: ptdcbasketservice (at) auroville.org.in

Whatsapp: +91-9659626618

Web: https://consciously.auroville.org.in

Q. I tested positive. Or I had close contact with a person who has tested positive.

Please call the Santé Covid-19 Coordination number.

Please also let the Santé Covid-19 Coordinator know if you can’t isolate at home or need help with delivering groceries, food or other essential items.

If you have tested positive, the Santé Covid-19 Coordinator will:

• Schedule a tele consultation with a doctor
• Schedule a call with a volunteer to trace any close contacts you may have had over the past 7 days
• And provide you with
  • A printed copy or email/WhatsApp the guidelines on isolation including dos and don'ts & contact numbers. These guidelines can be viewed (or downloaded) here https://bit.ly/2S3tLEX
  • A vitals monitoring kit that includes a Pulse Oxymeter, Blood Pressure meter and thermometer along with a monitoring sheet.
  • Links to online material to learn how to self-monitor your vitals and other useful information on Covid-19
• You will be requested to self-monitor your vitals and report them regularly to a volunteer who will tabulate them and escalate to a doctor if there is any cause for concern

Q. I want to get a RT-PCR test done

Please see guidelines on testing here https://bit.ly/2S4IJdN

Q. I want to get vaccinated

Please see information on vaccination here https://bit.ly/3xq5pVQ

Contacts Directory

1) Santé Reception

Working Hours:

From 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Mon to Sat

Tuesday Afternoon Closed

Telephone No: 0413- 2622803

2) Auroville Health Centre

Working Hours:

9.00 AM- 4.30 PM, Mon to Sat

Telephone No: 0413-2622123

3) Santé Covid Coordination (Aurosugan)

Working Hours:

8.00 AM- 8:00 PM, Mon to Sat

Outside these hours only for emergencies

Telephone Nos:

Mob: 80123 05151: 87786 14902

WhatsApp: 80123 05151

4) Ambulance Dispatch

Working Hours:

24 x 7

Telephone No: 9442224680

Notes

• As per Government Rules, your information will be shared with the Block Medical Officer and the key health monitoring team.
• The public health system in our region and in Auroville itself is under severe stress at the moment due to the spike in the number of cases. It is very hard to find available beds and the health professionals & facilities are under strain.
• Santé, along with the Ambulance Team and volunteers from the community are attempting to close the gap and provide community members with a service that assists with home isolation and seeking medical attention if required.
• While we do try to assist you to the best of our ability, our internal resources are very limited and it can take us some time to serve your needs.
• You can help us by reading this document carefully and following the guidelines and suggestions.

Thanks & Regards,

~ Santé Medical Team, Santé Covid Coordination and Auroville Ambulance team

Update - three more cases

Dear Community,

This is to inform you that there are now 3 more residents of Auroville who have tested Covid positive, all 3 living in Grace community as neighbours. Two of the three are primary contacts of the guest staying in Isaiambalam GH, announced earlier. They all have mild to moderate symptoms, are isolating at home with the support of the Santé Coordination team, the community has been informed and contact tracing has been done.

This brings the total number of Covid positive cases in Auroville to 11. Please see the list of people in quarantine here [...].

If anyone is experiencing symptoms of Covid infection (headaches, fever, body aches, congestion, cough, loss of taste and smell, diarrhea and stomach cramps, extreme tiredness, difficulty breathing), please isolate yourself immediately and call Santé for a medical tele-conference and inform Santé Coordination (santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in). For more information, please refer to this FAQ link [see PDF above].

We strongly recommend that people work from home and all meetings happen online, as much as possible. Avoid large gatherings and travel only when necessary, even to Pondy.

It is more important than ever for all of us to take all due precautions of wearing masks and maintaining distance of at least 2 meters when in public, and regularly washing hands or using hand sanitizer!

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination team

April 25, 2021

Availability of Covid-19 vaccination centres in our area

Dear Community,

We and Santé are still receiving regular inquiries about the availability in our area of vaccines against Covid-19 of which we covid/massmailed you the full contact details on 12 March of this year.

This is to inform you that the vaccine now is available, on a purely voluntary basis, to anyone, Indian and foreigner, above 18 years of age.

There are a number of hospitals and centers around Auroville that are offering a vaccine:

Private Hospitals (INR 250)

1) Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (MGMCRI)

Pillaiyarkuppam, Pondicherry 607402

Contact Number: 8300020077: Email: dyms (at) mgmcri.ac.in

Vaccine: Covidshield

2) East Coast Hospital

Moolakulam

Contact: 0413-2297800 Email:admin (at) eastcosthospitals.com

Vaccine: Covidshield

Government Hospitals (at no cost)

1) JIPMER (Public Health Building)

Vaccine: Covidshield

2) Kiliyanur Community Health Center

Contact Number :4147-235255

Vaccine: Covidshield

3) Primary Care Center in Chinnakalapet

Contact: 0413-2655134

Vaccine: Covidshield

9 am to 1 pm

Individuals who choose to get vaccinated, can register directly online though the following link https://selfregistration.cowin.gov.in/ and select the location of the facility or directly call the facility for spot registration in the case of a private hospital. A passport or some form of Indian identification such as an Aadhar card or Indian drivers' license will need to be shown when you go for the vaccination. Also, there is an observation period of 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine, so this needs to be planned for.

In addition, both vaccines in India, Covidshield and Covaxin are 2 dose vaccines, so people should inquire about the date when they should return for the second shot.

Please be aware that you may be asked to sign a self-declaration form with a disclaimer.

For those of you, especially senior citizens, who would like to get the vaccine but need help with logistics such as transport and registration, please write to santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in.

Moreover, even if you decide to organise your vaccination individually, we request you to inform Santé Coordination via the same email address.

We realise that there are different points of view about whether or not to get the vaccines and we respect the right to have those different views. Therefore, this is a personal choice that each individual makes, hopefully after having informed themselves of pros and cons, and making a conscious decision one way or another.

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee & Santé Coordination Team

New government restrictions effective tomorrow

Dear Community,

The Tamil Nadu government, through an official press release, has announced new restrictions due to the growing numbers of Covid Cases in the state and in the country. The number of new daily positive cases in India is 3.49 lakh in the last 24-hour period. This is the highest daily cases any country has had since the beginning of the pandemic.

In Tamil Nadu the number of active cases has just crossed 100,000, and yesterday there were 14,842 new cases. In our district of Villupuram there are more than 1000 active cases and yesterday 205 new cases were added. And finally, in Vanur Block we have about 80 active cases, with active positive cases in these villages: Koot Road, Therkunam, Konthamur, Pillamudaliar Chavadi, Thailapuram, Kottakarai, Morattandi, Pattanur, and Kadakampattu.

In Pondicherry there are 6,767 active cases and yesterday the city added 702 new positive cases, which amount has been steadily on the rise over the last one week.

A Government Order is expected today and it will be uploaded in Auronet as soon as we receive it. The main implications for Auroville are that restaurants can function only for takeaway and delivery, and gatherings in large numbers in auditoriums (such as Bharat Nivas, Cinema Paradiso) meeting halls and gymnasiums is not allowed any more. For more details, please see below the list of restrictions as announced in the official press release.

• All theaters, gymnasiums, amusement parks, all recreation clubs, bars, large halls and meeting halls are not allowed where public gather in big numbers.

• Large shops, shopping malls are not allowed to operate. Grocery stores, vegetable stores and all other stores are allowed to operate as usual following the appropriate instructions. However, grocery stores and vegetable stores operating in shopping malls are also not allowed. Large stores (grocery stores) that sell groceries and vegetables, including stand-alone groceries, are allowed to operate without air-condition. Of these, only 50% customers at a time should be allowed.

• Beauty parlours and salons are not allowed to operate in all Corporations and all Municipalities including Chennai.

• Only parcel service will be allowed in all restaurants and tea shops. Restaurants and tea shops are not allowed to sit and eat. Customers staying in hotels should be served food in the rooms where they are staying. It is not allowed to sit and eat in restaurants.

• All e-commerce services can operate with limited time constraints.

• Public worship is not allowed in all places of worship. However, daily pujas/prayers/ rituals are not prohibited to do by the staff of the worship places.

• In view of the increasing incidence of corona infection, religious festivals and gatherings have been banned from 10.04.2021 with the permission of the District Collector/ Commissioner of the Department of Hindu Religious Affairs concerned if the festival is to be held or if arrangements have been made to fix the date of the ‘Kudamuzhukku’ with the participation of 50 persons. At present, this practice has been changed and only temple staffs are allowed to attend the ceremony without the participation of the public. New Kudamuzhukku /Festival are not allowed.

• No more than 50 persons should participate in marriage and marriage related functions.

• No more than 25 persons attend funerals and related ceremonies.

• At least 50 per cent of employees in IT and IT service providers must work from home.

• All Sports Coaching Associations / Groups including Golf and Tennis Club are not allowed to operate. However, only training for international and national level competitions will be allowed.

• Persons coming to Tamil Nadu from all states except Pondicherry, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala will be allowed to enter Tamil Nadu only after showing the details registered (e-registration) on the website http://eregister.tnega.org.

• All travelers coming to Tamil Nadu by air/ship from abroad will be allowed only after showing the details registered (e-registration) on the website http://eregister.tnega.org when entering Tamil Nadu.

• As already ordered, in private and government buses, passengers will be allowed to travel in seats only. Standing on buses is not allowed.

• In rental and taxi vehicles only three passengers are allowed to travel except for driver and in autos only two passengers are allowed to travel except driver. Violators will be prosecuted.

• Night curfew every day and full curfew on Sundays will continue in Tamil Nadu.

Also, please remember that in Pondy there is a night curfew every day and a full curfew on Saturdays and Sundays, and that most shops are only open until 2 pm on weekdays.

It is recommended that meetings happen online as much as possible, and we have informed the Town Hall that only essential services (such as Financial Service, Residents' Service, Housing Service) should be open.

We will post new information as and when it becomes available.

With best wishes,

~ The Working Committee

April 24, 2021

Covid case update

Dear Community,

Please find below the latest update about cases in Auroville.

Three of the cases in Sharnga and the case in Gaia that were announced earlier have now mostly recovered and have tested negative. However, 2 more Council members, Suryan (living in Isaiambalam Guest House) and Claudine (living in Inspiration) -names shared with their permission- have tested positive after experiencing symptoms. In addition, a guest staying in Isaiambalam GH has tested positive so the guesthouse is now in self-imposed lockdown since there are shared spaces there. The total number of active cases in Auroville is now 8.

Contact tracing has been done but if anyone has had direct and close contact with Suryan or Claudine since the 14th of this month (the time of onset of symptoms) and has not been contacted by someone from the Santé Coordination team, please write to santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in.

We urge everyone to take all due precautions to reduce the risk of continuing a spread of new cases: Wear a mask when in public (inside and outside of Auroville), wash hands or use sanitizer frequently, and maintain a distance from others of at least 2 meters.

With best wishes,

~The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

A concerned letter to all

Dear Community,

As you are aware, over the past 4 weeks India has been experiencing a 2nd Wave of Covid-19.

The 2nd Wave has intensified very rapidly and is characterised by virus strains that have been observed to be more contagious and virulent and -according to medical professionals- also may be partially resistant to antibodies developed by symptomatic and asymptomatic infections during the 1st wave. In Auroville it has been observed that most of the cases this time do have symptoms and some have been/are very unwell, whereas in the initial wave almost all cases were asymptomatic.

As a result, total cases and active cases reported on a daily basis are currently triple the peak of the 1st wave. On Friday, April 23rd nationwide it was at 3.46 lakh positive cases in the 24-hour period.

This has led to medical facilities being overwhelmed in many places in India. There is a shortage of beds as well as many drugs, oxygen, and medical supplies.

All major hospitals that are designated for treating Covid-19 patients in and around Auroville/Pondicherry are overloaded and are concentrating their attention and resources on handling very critical cases of Covid-19 only.

Our own internal resources for dealing with Covid-19 are very limited, both physically and medically. We simply don’t have the human and physical resources to deal with many more cases, especially if they are in a critical condition.

We are already challenged by assisting cases who have tested positive and are unwell, and by tracing their contacts to limit further spread from them into the community.

And we do not have the medical resources in Auroville to manage Covid-19 cases who cannot be managed at home due to a deterioration in their condition.

If cases increase in Auroville in the coming weeks, it may prove very difficult to obtain the needed medical attention and support.

Hence, we strongly recommend that maximum precautions be taken in the coming few weeks to reduce the risk of contagion.

The only way to stop the surge in cases in Auroville and to stay safe, as a community and individually, is to reduce activities that are not essential plus very high-risk activities such as indoor sports facilities and sports activities with body contact, movie theatres, choir and other cultural practice and performance in groups, meetings in closed spaces, contact dance, schools, etc, with immediate effect.

Also please wear masks, practise good hand hygiene and keep a safe distance of at least 2 metres from others as far as possible.

We hope for your understanding of these new and more serious challenges that are being faced and look forward to your collaboration in a spirit of fraternity and community.

With best wishes,

~ Santé medical staff, Santé Coordination team, Auroville Ambulance team and the Working Committee

April 23, 2021

Council member tested positive

Dear Community,

Here we are again with another update. Please bear with the sudden increase in massbulletins but we want to do our best to keep everyone informed as things develop and as new information comes in.

S., member of the Auroville Council living in Newlands, has tested positive after experiencing symptoms (this is shared with her consent). As she has interacted with many people in the last few days, we are informing you of her test result and requesting anyone who has had direct and close contact with her since Friday, 16th of April, to inform Santé Coordination (santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in) as soon as possible.

Five other Council members are also experiencing symptoms and all members will be tested today. The results and more details will be shared as soon as they are known. In the meantime, anyone who has had direct and close contact with any Council member since the 16th is requested to please limit your contact with others until all test results have come in and contact tracing can be carried out accordingly.

Due to the sudden increase in cases in Auroville (now up to 8), members of the previous Covid Task Force are helping Santé Coordination in order to be able to effectively handle the work involved in contact tracing, testing, and care and support for our fellow Aurovilians who may need it. More on this will be communicated soon.

We appeal to all to please increase your vigilance and precautions at this time so that our human and physical resources are not overwhelmed and so that we reduce the risk of spread among each other and our neighbours in the surrounding area. In this regard, we strongly recommend that larger gatherings, meetings and events are cancelled for the time being and that work is done from home as much as possible.

In response to feedback from a few residents, it is important to share with you that the communications we send out are not motivated by fear. It is our belief that we all must do what we can with all our human limitations, while at the same time having faith that all is in Her hands.

With best wishes to all,

~The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

April 22, 2021

Further update on Covid situation

Dear Community,

There are now three new positive cases in Auroville, in Isaiambalam staff quarters, an Aurovilian working at Stem Land and now staying in Sanjeevinagar, and Surrender. They are in home quarantine. One of the existing cases in Gaia Forest is now negative so the total number of active cases in Auroville is 7, the highest so far.

We are aware of one positive case also in the Edeyenchavadi village.

A few members of the previous Covid Task Force as well as the Ambulance Service Team are now actively supporting the Santé Coordination team. In addition, regular coordination of all the health services has been re-established. For positive Covid cases, a system of round the clock medical care availability on a shift basis has been put in place. A plan is also under consideration to upgrade the facility of Sharanam in order to take care of more serious cases as local hospitals in the Pondicherry region have limited or no availability of beds.

A major difference that has been observed between the previous wave and the current one is that most of the existing cases in Auroville are now experiencing stronger symptoms. Therefore, it is more important than ever to work on prevention of contracting the virus by wearing masks and maintaining physical distance, especially in public or crowded places, avoiding unnecessary travel and avoiding large gatherings.

Presently there are more than 5400 active cases in Pondicherry so it is advised to go there only if strictly necessary. From the next weekend, there will be a full lockdown in Pondicherry from 10 pm on Fridays until 5.00 am on Mondays. During the rest of the week (Monday to Friday), starting from 26th April, shops and other establishments will be open only from 5.00 am to 2.00 pm.

We understand that there are different views about the pandemic and the precautions to take in order to avoid infection, but we appeal to everyone to please set aside personal opinions and do what is necessary to help those around you to feel safe, including our neighbours in the surrounding villages.

With best wishes to all,

~The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

Due to feedback received, we here send two clarifications:

• In our previous mail we mentioned that one of the new positive cases is in Isaiambalam staff quarters. Please know that this refers to the SCHOOL staff quarters and not to the Isaiambalam Guesthouse.
• Also, the Pondy weekend lockdown starts this coming weekend: i.e. from 10pm tomorrow Friday 23 April until 5am Monday 26th.

April 19, 2021

Covid - new restrictions

Dear Community,

The Tamil Nadu government has issued a Government Order today announcing new restrictions at least until the end of this month due to the growing number of Covid cases in the state and in the country. Below we have summarised some of the key restrictions:

Curfew: Effective from 20 April there will be a curfew every night from 10 pm to 4 am and a full day curfew on Sundays. On Sundays only essential services are allowed to operate such as milk distribution, daily newspaper distribution, hospitals, medical laboratories, pharmacies, ambulance services, all freight vehicles, farmers' produce vehicles, fuel transport vehicles (petrol, diesel and LPG).

Meat shops, fish markets, vegetable shops, cinema theaters, shopping malls, and all other shops will not be allowed to operate on Sundays.

Shops Groceries and Restaurants: They can operate all days of the week except Sundays with 50% of their capacity but must close by 9 pm. On Sundays restaurants are allowed to function for delivery only, from 6 am to 10 am, 12 noon to 3 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Transport services: Transport services, including interstate buses or from one district to another are not allowed to operate during the curfew days/hours. However, for emergency medical needs and to go to the airport/train station, rental auto, taxi and private vehicle use will be allowed. In addition, essential services such as milk distribution, daily newspaper distribution, hospitals, medical laboratories, pharmacies and ambulance services, lorries and fuel vehicles (petrol, diesel and LPG) will be allowed during the night curfew.

Theatres: They must ensure standard operating procedures and all precautions are followed, such as wearing a mask, washing hands with soap or using hand sanitizer, and adhering to physical distances. Only 50% of the venue capacity is allowed.

Marriage and Funerals: They are allowed any day, including Sundays, with a limit of 100 people for marriages and 50 people for funerals.

Colleges and Universities: they are required to function only on line.

Other educational activities/entities such as schools, institutes, etc, must remain closed.

General:

• Local and foreign tourists are not allowed to visit tourist destinations in the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud on all days.
• In all coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, on all days, the public is not allowed.
• Parks, zoos and archeological monuments, excavations and museums are not open to the public.

We would like to take this opportunity to emphasise that the public health system in our region and in Auroville itself is under severe stress at the moment due to the spike in the number of cases. It is very important to work on prevention of contracting the virus by wearing masks, especially in public or crowded places, avoiding unnecessary travel and avoiding large gatherings. We would like to advise organisers of events in Auroville to consider postponing them even if the TN government guidelines allow events up to a certain number of people and/or 50% capacity of the venue. If it's not possible to postpone, then organisers must ensure that the Standard Operation Procedures and all other precautions are followed, including wearing masks, providing means to wash or sanitize hands and ensuring physical distance within the venue with respect to the limits.

We realise that there is a weariness with this pandemic and the precautions and restrictions that we have all been functioning with for so long now, but we appeal to everyone to please do what is necessary, and required by law, to reduce the risk of spread of the virus, for the safety of Auroville residents and our neighbors in the surrounding villages.

Thank you for your continuing attention, understanding and patience.

With best wishes to all,

~The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

April 17, 2021

Update on the Covid situation, new cases

Dear Community Members,

Here is a further update to the information shared on the 14 April about new Covid cases in Auroville.

Presently there are 5 active cases in Auroville: one in Adventure, one in Gaia and three in Sharnga (a family member of one of the existing cases has tested positive).

Contact tracing is going on for the new cases.

According to information recently received from the Block Medical Officer (BMO) for our area, there are no cases in the villages immediately surrounding Auroville, but there are 4 cases in Koot Road and a couple of cases each in Pattanur, Putharai, Thailapuram (north of Kodur) and several more in Kottakuppam. The number of cases in Pondicherry is high, with more than 3000 active cases.

Most of the recent cases in Auroville have either a travel history or contacts with workers from the Pondicherry region. We strongly recommend:

• to travel only if strictly necessary;
• to take precautions when meeting and interacting with external contacts;
• to give paid leave to any employees who have symptoms and ask them to stay at home.

In addition, we ask that Auroville residents, including registered guests and volunteers, DO NOT go in person to Santé or the Health Center if symptoms are noticed. Instead, please call during normal working hours to get appropriate advice. We are in the process of reviving a 24-hour doctor-on-call system and will share those details soon.

We will try our best to give regular updates on the number of cases in and around Auroville and any changes in Government orders. Please keep an eye out for Covid bulletins.

Let's all do our best to reduce the risk of spread of the virus during this time of increasing cases.

With best wishes to all,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

April 14, 2021

COVID - new update

Dear Community Members,

We would like to update you all that there are two new positive cases in Auroville. Although they are both residents of Sharnga, they are not related and have a different history. Contact tracing has been done for one of the cases and is currently ongoing for the second one.

The other case in Udumbu that was previously announced has in the meantime recovered and the quarantine period is over.

The list of people in quarantine will be updated shortly, after test confirmations have been received.

We would like to remind everyone that a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am has been imposed in Pondicherry and the police in Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu are strictly monitoring the use of masks and imposing a fine for non-compliance.

At the national level, yesterday (13 April) there was a new peak of 184,372 new cases and 1072 deaths, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.

Please, continue to take all due precautions of using masks, maintaining physical distance and regularly washing/sanitising hands, particularly in public places. It is advised to avoid large gatherings as much as possible.

With best wishes to all,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

April 12, 2021

COVID- New lockdown guidelines & updates

Dear Community Members,

On April 8th, the Tamil Nadu government announced new lockdown guidelines that will be enforced from Saturday April 10th.

The impacts for Auroville are as follows:

• Large gatherings are now restricted to a maximum of 200 people, duly following the Standard Operating Procedure. We request the organisers of all large gatherings to which people from outside are invited to contact the Working Committee and inform in advance.
• Restaurants and eateries, shops and boutiques, theaters and auditoriums are expected to function with 50 percent of the capacity of the customer service areas.
• Swimming Pools shall be permitted for sports training while following the relevant Special Operating Procedures.

The full text of the new guidelines is here:

The number of positive cases in India is rapidly going up (currently over 1.32 lakh new cases per day, more than any other time during the pandemic), they are also on the rise in Tamil Nadu (currently over 6600 new cases), and there are more than 350 cases in our Villupuram district.

Presently there is only one active case in Auroville, in Udumbu. The person concerned is in home quarantine with her family. Contact tracing has been done, the primary contacts have been tested and all of them tested negative. Those previously detected in March have since recovered.

In this regard we remind all international travelers coming from, UK, South Africa, Brazil, that even if they have tested negative before departure and at the arrival at the airport, the guidelines of the Govt of India still require them to undertake one week of home quarantine and one more test at the end of this period.

For passengers coming from Europe, the health authorities of our district advise a period of 7 days home isolation followed by a test. This is to ensure that they did not contract the virus at airports or on the flights.

Domestic travelers coming from Maharashtra and Kerala are also required to be in quarantine for 7 days upon arrival in Tamil Nadu unless it concerns a short business trip (less than 48 hours). All travelers coming into Tamil Nadu should E-register themselves at https://eregister.tnega.org

We request you to take all the necessary precautions, don't let your guard down and to travel only when absolutely necessary.

Thank you for your attention and we wish you all good health!

Sincerely,

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

March 19, 2021

Covid update

After the recent positive cases in Auroville (both symptomatic) and our request to cancel or postpone events, we have received a number of communications asking for clarifications about this.

Events and programs may continue at this time. However, being conscious of the rising number of COVID cases in and around Auroville, as well as in the country, please abide by the following:

• The number of people at any event must be no more than 50% of the venue capacity and not more than 600, according to current Tamil Nadu State guidelines.
• The organizers are responsible for ensuring that masks are worn, physical distance maintained, hand sanitizer or hand washing facilities are available and used often, and a log of participants is kept.
• If the event is open to the non-Auroville public the Working Committee must be informed at least one week in advance so the relevant authorities are informed.

Please be aware that the State Government has issued a new press release (see here in Tamil and English) after having carried out a review of the current situation in the state.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who, in spite of the inconvenience caused, chose to respect the call to cancel or postpone planned events or gatherings in order to allow time for the contact tracing to happen and to minimize the risk of further spread of the virus. In the event that there are any new positive cases in Auroville we will inform the community.

Please be safe, and if you develop any symptoms, get a phone consultation with a doctor to advise you. For any support, please contact santecoordination (at) auroville.org.in.

~ The Working Committee and Santé Coordination Team

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July 16, 2020

Paolo Tommasi left his body

This is to inform the community that our dear friend and brother Paolo Tommasi passed away in JIPMER on 16 July at around 11.15am due to complications of the Covid19 virus. He was just 92 years old.

[...] Always a searcher, he was in his thirties called to India, where he met Mother at the age of 38 and felt he had found what he had been seeking. This was just before Auroville’s inauguration in ’68, and a few years before the concept of Matrimandir would emerge. In this very process Paolo would, in his reserved and reflective manner, play an obtrusive but significant role. He later would also propose elaborate designs for the twelve gardens around Matrimandir.

[...] At the end of June, Paolo was tested positive for the Corona virus and has been treated for the same, remaining stable for the first weeks on mask ventilation. Yesterday intubation was needed as his condition rapidly deteriorated. May he be in peace.

We profoundly and lovingly thank Paolo for his creative vision and the support extended by him for the Soul of the City.

Jay MA~

See also

• Santé
• Microbes