The Mamata Banerjee government has extended the stricter restrictions until August 15 as a part of its attempt to keep the Covid situation under control.

Cinemas have been allowed to operate with not more than 50 per cent seating capacity from July 31. The Covid protocols will have to be complied with.

According to the order issued to extend the restrictions for another 15 days, indoor government programmes can be held with 50 per cent seating capacity.

The government has laid stress on maintaining the stricter restrictions between 9pm and 5am when all outdoor activities, except emergency services, have been prohibited. The night ban covers movement of people and vehicles, barring those given exemptions.

In spite of demand from various quarters to allow operation of suburban local trains, the government has decided to keep the services suspended for now. “We have not allowed any major relaxation this time as we don’t want the daily positive cases to rise abnormally. Positive cases have begun to show a rising trend,” an official said.