Restrictions or a shutdown only after Covid review, says Mamata

The chief minister rules out bar on Gangasagar pilgrims

Mamata Banerjee at Gangasagar on Thursday  before leaving for Calcutta. : Mehaboob Gazi

Pranesh Sarkar And Subhasish Chaudhuri   |   TT  |  Calcutta/Kalyani   |  31.12.21 :  Mamata Banerjee has said any decision on announcing stricter restrictions or a shutdown in Bengal will be taken only after a thorough review of the Covid-19 situation and there will be no bar on pilgrims visiting the Gangasagar Mela.

The clarification came on Thursday as apprehensions about a lockdown increased because of an alarming rise in the infections in the past 72 hours in Bengal. 

“Nothing will be shut down randomly without reviewing the situation properly. The economy suffered very much because of Covid. If we shut down everything abruptly, it would be a burden on everyone. Any decision will be taken only after a proper review,” said the chief minister at Sagar Islands before leaving for Calcutta on Thursday.

The number of Covid cases in Bengal was 2,128 on Thursday, but the figure was just 552 on December 25.

The chief minister took care to explain why reviewing the situation was necessary before announcing any stricter restrictions.

“The review becomes necessary because there were no large number of Covid cases in the past six to eight months, So many health facilities that were turned into Covid hospitals are withdrawn now. Those are under review... now a fresh problem (omicron) has arrived, which is not fatal but spreads fast,” said Mamata.

While the chief minister stressed that the government would not rush towards imposing sweeping restrictions, she made it clear that the government was upgrading healthcare infrastructure. 

“All Covid beds — some of which were released in the past few months — are being restored. Attempt is on to make a stock of required medicines. The goal is on to complete two doses of vaccines of those who did not take the second shot in due time,” said a senior official.

The next priority, a source said, is to identify the sectors or areas which can be closed down or restricted without having much impact on the lives of common people but at the same time would prevent the spread of the virus.

“The chief minister is likely to hold a meeting before announcing a fresh set of stricter guidelines. Most probably, the stricter restrictions would be declared on January 3,” said a senior government official.

In a WhatsApp message to district magistrates on Thursday, a source said, the chief secretary made it clear that they should take steps to ensure that wearing of masks was made mandatory and other Covid protocols were followed in public places. The administration should take measures to generate awareness among common people of the spike in the infections. Besides, markets and market complexes should be sanitised on a regular interval.

“All these are prelude to a stricter restriction… It appears the government would initiate steps only after New Year Eve celebrations or the Gangasagar Mela are over,” said a source.

The chief minister also hinted that she would not like to intervene ahead of the Gangasagar Mela scheduled to be held from January 8 to 14.

“I am not going to prevent anyone who wants to visit the Gangasagar fair. Everyone is welcome here as long as they follow Covid protocols. If anybody is afraid to visit, it is their choice. But we are ready to welcome everyone and provide all necessary support in case they fall ill because of Covid,” Mamata said at Sagar Islands on Thursday.

Sources said the government would try to balance the steps to curb the rise of Covid cases and holding of the Gangasagar Mela.

“It may happen that stricter restrictions are put in place from January 3 but the activities related to Gangasagar Mela might not come under its purview,” said an official.

A health expert said Bengal should have initiated measures to prevent gatherings on New Year’s Eve like many other states.

“The state should immediately impose night time restrictions on December 31. We have already seen what happened on the night of December 25. If New Year’s Eve is not restricted, the situation might go out of control soon,” said a health expert.