COVID-19: Near lockdown in Bengal, government closes a range of establishments

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Confronted with a sharply rising infection curve during the second COVID-19 wave, the West Bengal government on April 30 issued instructions closing down shopping malls, cinema halls, restaurants, bars, sports complexes, beauty parlour, gyms, swimming pools.

“All social, cultural, academic, entertainment related gatherings and congregation shall remain prohibited,” said a communication from the state secretariat in the evening. It was signed by the chief secretary.

No restrictions on transport

However, the communication did not mention any restrictions on public transport.

The restrictions would be in effect till further notice, said a communication from the state secretariat in the evening.

Groceries, pharmacies will, however, be open. Online deliveries, too, are exempt from this restrictive list.

Timings

Markets will be open from 7 am till 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm.

The administration also prohibited victory rallies and processions that successful candidates and political parties might organise on and after May 2, when the results of the state assembly elections will be declared.

Crowding and loitering near the counting venues should also be strictly avoided, said the government.

Experts are of the opinion that the eight-phase polling in the state that witnessed unbridled campaign with public rallies, roadshows and all sorts of mass gathering, stoked the infection.

It is only after a clamour for restrictions on campaigning reached a crescendo and Calcutta High Court made adverse comments that the Election Commission issued a ban on public meetings and roadshows on April 22. But by then the mass gatherings did the damage.

As of April 29, Bengal had total active cases of about 1.1 lakh. The number of fresh cases added in the last 24 hours stood at 17,403 and deaths at 89.