The ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in West Bengal had been from 15 May to 30th May which now stands at an extension of 15 more days. The lockdown this time has been laden with certain relaxations that were not allowed before.
In response to an extraordinary spike in coronavirus infections, the West Bengal government on Thursday extended the Covid-related restrictions on services and transportation in the state until June 15.
Bengal has restrictions in effect from the 15th to the 30th of May.
Mamata Banerjee, the state chief minister, has appealed to Bengal locals for their help, stating, “Please do not refer to this as a lockdown. The number of Covids has decreased. There will be no absolute shut down for the sake of the economy.”
Because of current limitations, the pandemic situation in Bengal has improved slightly, according to CM Banerjee. She also stated that the state’s Covid-19 levels were falling and that she was not declaring a “complete lockdown” for the sake of the economy.
The limits imposed earlier this month will apply to the new ‘near-lockdown’ period as well.
What are the relaxations and change in lockdown rules this time?
- All offices and academic facilities, as well as public transportation, including the metro, will be closed. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., gas stations and banks will be open.
- All emergency services, as well as home deliveries and other internet services, will be permitted.
- Between 7 and 10 a.m., grocery stores and retailers providing necessities will remain open. Sweet shops, including traditional Bengali sweetmeats, are permitted to operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Industries will be shuttered, but tea gardens will continue to operate, though at a reduced capacity.
- During this time, no cultural, political, intellectual, administrative, or religious gatherings or functions will be permitted. Between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., no outdoor gatherings will be permitted.
- Weddings are limited to a maximum of 50 guests.
- On May 1, all shopping malls, beauty salons, cinemas, sports facilities, and restaurants were closed forever.
West Bengal’s Board Exams Verdict
Class 12 board exams would be held in the final week of July, according to CM Banerjee, while Class 10 board exams will be held in mid-August.
She said that the dates would be published later by the individual boards.
Banerjee informed reporters at the state secretariat, “We have decided to hold the secondary (Madhyamik) and higher secondary (Uccho Madhyamik) tests… according to all COVID-19 safety standards.”
Meanwhile, a health department bulletin stated West Bengal recorded 16,225 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 13,18,203