The Darjeeling district administration on Sunday decided on closing all towns across the district for one day every week to stem the spread of Covid-19.

The focus is on closing the crowded markets in these towns. The day for closure in each town will be decided by local authorities in consultation with trade bodies.

For instance, Darjeeling town will be closed on Thursdays. said T. Roy, the SDO.

The decision comes in the wake of a spike in Covid cases in the district. On Saturday, Darjeeling district logged 89 new infections, the highest in Bengal.

SDO Roy said Chowk Bazar and Chowrasta areas of Darjeeling town will be closed on Thursdays, but essential services, including pharmacies and bakeries, will be open.

With a steady trickle of tourists, authorities are undecided whether restaurants in Chowk Bazar and Chowrasta will stay shut on Thursday.

Sources said Fuleshwari bazar in ward 24 of Siliguri will be declared a containment zone. Siliguri Municipality Corporation area reported 21 new infections on Saturday.

Darjeeling district police increased vigil on tourists coming to the hills. Checkpoints have been set up in places like Simulbari in Kurseong to check if tourists have a negative RT-PCR report or a double vaccination certificate before entering the hills.

“Checks are being conducted in hotels and homestays to see if Covid-19 protocols are being followed,” said a police source.

On Saturday, police arrested 266 people across the district without proper masks.