State green zones set for leeway ....Bengal has seven districts in the green zone: Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, Birbhum, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Alipurduar

Pranesh Sarkar, TT, 30.04.20, Calcutta: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said some industrial and trading activities will be allowed in the Covid-negative green zones in Bengal from May 4.

“We had a meeting with doctors yesterday. Experts are saying that we should be very cautious till the end of May after which it would subside to some extent. Then it could increase in July and August during the monsoon. No disease disappears suddenly.… But (we) can’t get stuck because of corona,” Mamata said.

Bengal has seven districts in the green zone: Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, Birbhum, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Alipurduar.

The four red zones are Calcutta, Howrah, North 24-Parganas and East Midnapore.

In the green zones, private buses are expected to be allowed to run within each district with up to 20 passengers in each vehicle.

Factories and workshops can function. Shops selling stationery, books, mobile recharge, paan, tea, hardware and paint, electronics and electrical goods and laundries are expected to be allowed to open.

However, market complexes, shopping malls, salons, spas, tailoring shops and liquor shops will continue to be closed. Hawking on footpaths also will not be allowed.

The details will be listed in a government circular expected on May 1.

The chief minister made it clear that the readiness to allow some activities did not mean that the situation had normalised.

“The situation has not improved as such. That’s why we have to face some difficulties and need to stay in lockdown mode for some more days,” Mamata said.

She said the restrictions would continue in the red zones and moderate relaxations could be given in the orange zones.

State police, sources said, have been given the responsibility to conduct surveys and decide on which shops or services could be kept open in an area to ensure social distancing.

“Where some relaxation can be given, it would be allowed. But it should be remembered that if an orange zone turns red, automatically the restrictions will be imposed,” Mamata said.

Sources in Nabanna said the chief minister tried to strike a “balance between caution and relaxation” while deciding on the activities that would start on May 4. The ongoing lockdown announced by the Centre will be in place at least till May 3.

“People should be given a chance to earn livelihood in the areas which are comparatively safe. No measure could achieve success if it leaves people in trouble,” said a finance department official.

“The chief minister has set the ball rolling for economic activities wherever it is possible. But she remains strict for the areas where opening up facilities could spell disaster,” the official added.