Mamata Banerjee announces new Covid curbs . Lockdown-Like Curbs Imposed : List of Additional Restrictions Against Covid-19 Spread

Indrajit Kundu, India Today, Kolkata, May 5, 2021: In view of the increasing Covid cases, the Bengal Government has suspended local train services from tomorrow, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday. State transport, including metro, will function with 50 per cent capacity from tomorrow, she announced.

The state is witnessing a spike in Covid cases and has also prohibited all social and political gatherings. "Wearing of masks to be mandatory, state government offices are permitted to operate with only 50 per cent attendance. Shopping complexes, gyms, cinema halls, beauty parlours will remain closed," she said.

Markets in the state will only be open from 7 am to 10 am and from 5 pm to 7 pm to curtail the spread of the virus.

From 7 May, nobody will be allowed to arrive at airports without RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours. On arrival, fliers from outside the state will have to provide a negative RT-PCR Covid test not older than 72 hours. Covid-affected passengers will be sent to a 14-day quarantine arranged by the airport authorities. I

She also said that random checking will be done in inter-state buses, RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours is mandatory for the passengers. The ruling is also applicable to the passengers of train services.

During this period, all essential activities will carry on unhindered and home delivery services are being encouraged to prevent people from venturing out as much as possible.

Private organisations can work with 50 percent staff strength. Manufacturing units and tea garden shifts will be permitted only with 50 per cent strength.

"Jewellery shops will remain open from 12 pm to 3 pm. Banks to operate from 10 am to 2 pm," Mamata Banerjee said.

(Agencies:

- Journalists and hawkers will be prioritised for vaccination.

- Wearing masks is compulsory.

- All social and political gatherings have been prohibited.

For cultural programmes prior permissions with 50% attendance and following Covid-19 protocol may be granted.

- Movement of all local trains to be suspended from tomorrow. State transport to operate on 50 per cent capacity including metro.

- Government offices to have 50 per cent attendance.

- Shopping malls/complexes, swimming pools etc to remain shut

- Restrictions in time, 7am-10 am and 5pm-7pm, has been imposed for all retail outlets

- No entry without RT-PCR report in airports will be permitted.

- 50 per cent of staff in private sector need to work from home.

- Jewellery shops will remain open only between 12noon-3pm.

- Online and home delivery of food items to be encouraged.

- Bank business hours restricted from 10am-2pm.

- Emergency and essential services, law and order, telecom to remain outside restriction purview.

- Sanitization of market places, educational institutions and offices has been made mandatory.. 

- Museums, planetarium, zoos, national parks have been closed in West Bengal to avert contamination.)