In keeping with the steady rise in COVID-19 cases in West Bengal, Chief Secretary Alapan Bandhopadhyay on Saturday announced a complete lockdown in the state from May 16 to May 30.
Addressing the media, Bandhopadhyay said that all markets will be open from 7 am to 10 am, and except for emergency services, all public services will remain suspended.
“Markets will be open in the morning and e-commerce and online services will be open entire day. Banks will be open from 10 am to 2pm and shops selling sweets will be open from 10 am to 5pm,” said Alapan adding that petrol pumps and auto repairing shops will be open throughout the day.
Urging people to stay indoors to break the chain, the West Bengal Chief Secretary said that outdoor movements from 9pm to 5am will be strictly closed.
“Public transportation including metro services will be closed and frontline workers will have to move with their own transport. All educational institutes, shopping malls, gyms, swimming pools, religious places and other places where there are chance of congregation will be closed,” mentioned Alapan.
The West Bengal Chief Secretary also added that all offices will be closed till May 30.
“Jute bags are used in emergency services for which jute mill will be open with 30 percent workforce and tea gardens will be open with 50 percent workforce. For marriage ceremony only 50 people will be allowed and for funeral 20 people will be allowed,” said West Bengal Chief Secretary.
According to several doctors, this complete lockdown is needed to break the chain. The next 15 days are extremely crucial for West Bengal.
“The number of active cases is increasing in leaps and bounds. This lockdown was needed to break the chain as next two weeks is very crucial for the state and the number of cases is expected to rise,” said Dr. Kajal Krishna Banik.
