The Bengal government has asked district magistrates to consider setting up containment zones again if they feel such a step is necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19 after positive cases have started rising again in the state in the season of election rallies.

“The chief secretary recently held a video conference with the district magistrates and asked them to set up containment zones if necessary. The state was asked to initiate required measures during a video conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the chief ministers,” said a state government official.

Bengal chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay had represented the state in the video conference on March 16.

The officials said that so far, Calcutta and North 24-Parganas account for a higher count in the fresh Covid cases in Bengal although the situation still had not reached an alarming level.

“So, in all likelihood, containment zones could be created in these two districts first, if it is felt necessary. The containment zones will be decided based on the number of cases found in a particular area,” said an official.

If containment zones are created again, restrictions will be enforced in certain areas for the first time since January when the last containment zone was set up as Covid cases had started decreasing in the state rapidly.

A section of health department officials said the Bengal administration was keeping in mind the situation in Maharashtra where daily Covid cases had surged in a span of three weeks. Maharashtra recorded around 25,000 fresh cases on Saturday — a sharp jump from 8,900-odd daily cases on February 28.

In Bengal, 383 patients tested positive in the past 24 hours, up from 194 daily cases on February 19.

“The situation is still under control in Bengal. But we have a lesson to learn from Maharashtra which is being forced to reimpose lockdowns in some areas. We have to be careful in order to avert a similar situation here,” said an official.

The situation, officials said, could turn critical at any time as political parties are organising huge rallies ahead of the Assembly polls.

“The rallies are giving us a serious headache as Covid protocols are hardly being followed at these political meetings. We are not in a position to impose restrictions on such rallies as the Election Commission of India is the only authority that can do so as the model code of conduct is in place,” said an official.

The official added that setting up containment zones would help the state confine the spread of the virus to a limited zone, and aggressive testing in the area would help prevent the spread of the virus further.

“If we identify the areas where a cluster of positive cases exists and restrict entry and exit in and from the area, it will definitely help in the poll season. Campaigning in the areas and participation of residents of the area in political rallies will be prevented once the containment zones are created, which will help prevent the spread,” said an official.

The state government has decided to start public awareness programmes in markets, bus stands and railway stations again.

“Many people are not following the norms.… We will make them aware why wearing masks and maintaining physical distance are still required,” said an official.