The Bengal government has changed the dates for the complete lockdown this month because of local festivals. The number of the complete lockdown days for the month stays unchanged at seven.

The complete lockdown days in the state will fall on August 5 (Wednesday), 8 (Saturday), 20 (Thursday), 21 (Friday), 27 (Thursday), 28 (Friday) and 31 (Monday), according to a notification issued by chief secretary Rajiva Sinha on Monday.

Wednesday (August 5) was already a full lockdown day in the old schedule.

“On August 16 and 17, several districts, including those in Jungle Mahal, observe Manasa Puja. People from the districts had requested the government to withdraw the complete lockdown on these dates,” said a source.

Similarly, representatives of two communities had requested that August 23 and 24 be spared because of festivals, the source added.

“As flights and special trains are not operated on the complete lockdown days in the state, many people will now have to change their travel plans,” said an official.

The new schedule means that no complete lockdown has been announced on Sundays.