Covid-19 crisis: West Bengal government announces complete lockdown from May 16-30

Kolkata: Just following the successive occasions of Eid-ul-Fitar and Akshay Tritiya, the West Bengal government announced a fresh set of restrictions on May 15, stopping just short of full lockdown in a desperate bid to battle the rising number of infections and deaths in the state.

The new restrictions would be in force from 16 and May 30.

Over the past few weeks, the state recorded an increasing number of infections and fatalities every day. On May 14, the number of infection recorded during the preceding 24-hour period stood at 20,846 – a record – and deaths during the same time window reached 136.

Chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay declared that restrictions would be strictly enforced from 6 am on Sunday till 12 midnight on May 30.

No transportation

While the administration had earlier curbed timings of shops and markets earlier, including reduction of office attendance even at government establishments, there was no restriction on transport except halving of government busses and metro services. The Chief Secretary announced that no vehicles except those on emergency duty would be allowed to ply.

“No bus, metro, auto, rickshaw, private cars would be allowed to ply except those attending emergency services,” announced Bandyopadhyay.

However, emergency services such as hospital, media, police, milk and fire services people can use their private or office vehicles.

All intra-state local trains and inland water transport shall remain suspended except on emergency services.

All intra-state movement of trucks and goods carriers shall come to a halt except those related to medical supplies, oxygen, essential food commodities including milk, eggs, meat and fish, petrol/ diesel and LPG.

Offices closed

The order from the government said, “All government offices and private establishments shall remain closed except those relating to emergency and essential services like healthcare, veterinary services, law and order, courts, social welfare homes, correctional services, power, drinking water, telecom, media, etc.”

Besides, all schools, colleges, universities, polytechnics, ITI, anganwadi centres and other educational and academic institutions shall remain closed.

Shop timings

Retail outlets and bazaars related to vegetables, fruits, groceries milk, bread, meat and eggs shall be allowed to remain open between 7 AM and 10 AM.

But they will not be allowed to open between 5 PM and 7 PM in the evening as was announced earlier.

Sweetmeat shops would be allowed to remain open between 10 AM and 5 PM, while jewellery and saree shops would open for business between 12 noon and 3 PM. However, the chief secretary could not explain how would customers visit these outlets in the absence of any transport.

However, pharmacies and optical stores would remain open as per usual working hours.

As announced earlier, shopping malls, market complexes, spas, beauty parlours, cinema halls, restaurants, bars, sports complexes, gyms, swimming pools would remain fully closed till May 30.

Banks

Banks will remain open from 10 AM to 2 PM and ATMs will be operational

Operations in tea gardens shall be allowed with 50% of total strength of each shift. Jute Mills can function only with 30% of total strength.

Other restrictions

“Parks, zoos, sanctuaries shall remain closed except for maintenance services. All administrative, academic, entertainment, political, cultural and religious gatherings and congregations shall be prohibited.” said the Chief Secretary.

The order said, “All industries and manufacturing units shall remain closed except those relating to medical supplies, COVID protective supplies etc.”

All e-commerce and home delivery services of all commodities shall be allowed throughout the state.

Till May 15, Bengal has total active cases of about 1.32 lakh. The state has witnessed about 13,000 COVID-related fatalities so far.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s brother Ashim passed away due to Covid at a city hospital.