The West Bengal government on Monday has announced an extension of the ongoing Coronavirus induced lockdown till July 1. Some measures have been eased on offices and business establishments from June 16, however, the existing curbs on public transport will remain the same.
“We have allowed the extension of business hours with the condition that the staff be vaccinated. We don’t want the business to suffer,” said chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
A government order was issued on Monday that said, "In the suppression of all earlier orders issued in terms of the provisions under Disaster Management Act, 2005 restriction measures stand extended up to 6 pm of Wednesday 30th June 2021.”
"We have been able to vaccinate nearly 2 crore people, especially the groups that are "super-spreaders", CM Banerjee said addressing a press briefing.
What’s allowed and what’s not:-
1) Government and private offices are allowed to function with a 25% workforce from 16 June with hours fixed between 10 am and 4 pm for the latter. Private offices will have to ensure transportation of employees who need to attend office for which E passes will be given.
2) Shopping malls can function from 11 am to 6 pm while markets dealing in milk, eggs and groceries can remain open between 7 am and 11 am from Wednesday. Other retail shops remain open between 11 to 6 pm.
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3) The transport sector, including private buses, metro rail services, and local trains will continue to remain shut during this time, except for the staff special trains that have been allowed to run. Taxis and autos will be allowed only in case of a medical emergency. Private vehicles will not be allowed to run from 9 pm to 5 am.
4) Restaurants and bars can run from noon till 8 pm with 50 per cent sitting capacity.
5) Sports events can be organised inside stadiums without spectators while parks will be open from 6-9 am only for walkers who are completely vaccinated.
6) Indoor and outdoor film shooting can continue with 50 crew members fully vaccinated. “The entertainment industry had requested me. We have decided to allow them to work with all protocols followed,” said Mamata.
7) The order said all schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions would continue to remain shut during this period.
8) "All intra-state local trains, Metro Railway and intra-state bus services and inland water transport should remain closed except for staff special trains for movement of emergency and essential services personnel," the order said.
9) Beauty parlours, cinema halls, gyms, spas and swimming pools will remain closed.
10) 50 people allowed to attend marriage ceremonies or other social gatherings, a maximum of 20 people would be allowed for a funeral.
11) With restricted hours banks can operate from 10 am to 2 pm.
12) The order said that ATMs, petrol pumps, LPG gas distribution centres will also remain functional.
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About 2 crore people have been vaccinated in the state, Banerjee said. “When the elections were being held, our positivity rate (for Covid tests) was around 20-22 per cent. On the last day of polling, it was at 32 per cent. We have now brought it (positivity rate) down to 6 per cent and are working towards reducing it further,” she added.
WB has seen a steady decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases after the lockdown was imposed. In the last 24 hours, the state had recorded 3,984 new cases and had around a 97.64 per cent recovery rate.