The Trinamool Congress (TMC) led West Bengal Government extended the ongoing partial lockdown till the 30th of August.
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, announced an extension of the lockdown with additional relaxation from restrictions. The decision was taken on the recommendations of the State Executive Committee of the WB Disaster Management Authority to control the COVID-19 infection spread.
Adding to the previous relaxations, the State Government extended opening hours of business establishments till 10:30 P.M. In addition, the imposed curfew is also from 11:00 P.M., till 5:00 A.M.
Previously, business establishments, shops, restaurants and pubs were allowed till 8:00 P.M. and curfew timing was between 9:00 P.M., to 5:00 A.M.
However, local trains would still be out of service for the people of West Bengal. When asked why only local trains are completely out of service, Ms. Banerjee said, “A lot of people are asking me why we are not allowing local trains. But, until we are able to vaccinate more people in rural areas, we cannot run local trains,”
The previously announced restrictions and relaxation include:
Metro functioning with 50 % staff for 5 days a week, (Monday-Friday.)
Gatherings of 50 people at marriage functions.
At funeral functions, not more than 20 people are allowed for the ritual.
Allowance for gyms is also given twice a day, from 6:00 A.M., to 10 A.M., and from 6:00 P.M., to 8:00 P.M., with vaccinated staff and 50 % occupancy.
Public transport, including intra state (inter district) government and private buses, inland waterways transport, trams, local taxis, cabs and auto rickshaws will be allowed with passengers not more than 50 % of seating capacity at a time.
Colleges, schools, universities and other government institutions would remain closed until further notice.
Besides these, salons and beauty parlours could function from usual hours with 50 % vaccinated staff and customers.
Restaurants, bars and hotels would function with 50 % occupancy and vaccinated staff till 10:30 P.M.
Shopping malls and complex markets are also allowed from 6:00 A.M., till 10:30 P.M., with 50 % staff and 50 % customers.
However, local trains would remain closed during the lockdown.
Sport clubs and other academies are allowed to function for events and games without any audience and spectators.
Swimming pools, open theaters, auditorium and cinema halls could begin operation with 50 % staff and 50 % seating capacity.
As of now, West Bengal is witnessing a strict lockdown with a few restrictions. The imposed restrictions/partial lockdown would come into effect from the 16th of August till the 30th of August 2021.
The decision to extend the lockdown was taken to curtail the spread of the Wuhan virus, also known as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19.) This is the fifth time the West Bengal Government has extended the lockdown, which they call COVID-19 restrictions/partial lockdown. The first such restrictions were imposed on the 15th of April, followed by on the 29th of April, on the 14th of July, the 30th of July and now on the 12th of August till the 30th of August.
Till date, West Bengal has 10,109 active cases of the Wuhan virus (COVID-19.) In addition, 3.3 crore people were given COVID-19 vaccine doses in the State.
Mango News Link
Telegram: https://t.me/mangonewsofficial
Google Play Store: https://bit.ly/2R4cbgN
Apple / iOS Store: https://apple.co/2xEYFJ
