Covid: State govt imposes partial curbs, schools shut: 'CM feels stricter restrictions would impact livelihood'

But the administration has desisted from fully shutting down businesses and transport lifelines

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: File Picture

Pranesh Sarkar   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |   03.01.22  : The Mamata Banerjee government on Sunday announced “partial restrictions” in view of the rising Covid cases, seeking to strike a balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods.

Announcing the new restrictions at a news conference on Sunday, Bengal chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi said the additional restrictions would come into force from Monday and continue till January 15.

“The chief minister held a discussion with us before the steps were drawn up,” the chief secretary said.

List of restrictions

The focus appeared to be on limiting the avenues where physical proximity or contact is unavoidable. In-person attendance of students at schools, colleges and universities has been suspended. Spas, gyms, salons and swimming pools have been shut. (See chart)

But the government has desisted from fully shutting down businesses and transport lifelines.

Shopping malls, market complexes, cinemas and theatres will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity. Suburban local trains can operate at 50 per cent of seating capacity and till 7pm. Metro trains too will run at 50 per cent seating capacity.

Government and private offices can function with 50 per cent of their employees. “Work from home shall be encouraged as far as possible,” the government said in the order announcing the new restrictions.

The stress, officials said, was on striking a balance this time instead of imposing blanket restrictions like those put in place earlier.

“For example, suburban local trains were suspended for months during the second wave. This had prevented many people from reaching their workplaces. The government has tried to strike a balance this time,” a senior official said.

“The chief minister felt that stricter restrictions would leave a severe impact on the lives and livelihood of common people. We are trying to strike a balance so that both lives and livelihood are protected,” another official said.

The chief secretary said the state was taking several measures to contain the spread of the virus. “We are opening three safe houses – the Gitanjali Stadium, Haj House and the Pratidin building -- for those who lack enough space at home to get isolated. This apart, we will set up micro-containment zones in areas where five or more cases are found. In Calcutta, 11 such containment zones will be set up from Monday,” Dwivedi said.

Another official later said: “Most important, more than 6 crore people in the state have received at least one dose of the vaccine. This gives us hope that the cases would not be so severe this time.”

Dwivedi said 95 per cent of the Covid-positive patients this time were showing no symptoms or only mild symptoms. “They can be cured in home isolation. Only 1.5 per cent of the Covid beds are occupied so far,” he added.

“If the health system is overwhelmed with critical Covid cases, then we won’t have any option other than imposing stricter measures. But for now, we want to see whether these (milder) measures are helping,” said an official, adding that a review meeting would be held before any decision is taken for the period after January 15.

Sources cited three key reasons that had dissuaded the state government from imposing lockdown-like curbs.

First, if economic activity comes to a halt again, it will lead to further job losses.

Second, stricter restrictions will affect the state exchequer. The state government cannot afford a dip in revenues as it has launched several welfare schemes over the past few months, leaving itself with an additional financial burden of around Rs 21,000 crore.

Third, thousands of pilgrims have already arrived in Calcutta or boarded trains to visit the Gangasagar Mela between January 8 and 14. Stricter restrictions would have inconvenienced these pilgrims.