Ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in Bengal will be extended till June 15, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Thursday.

Mamata said that the Covid-related restrictions on services and movement will be observed for 15 extra days as Bengal has been recording fewer cases since the ongoing curbs were imposed.

“The Covid-19 restrictions in the state will continue till June 15. This is not a lockdown or a curfew. We will strictly follow the restrictions.

“It’s a relief to see that the ongoing restrictions have helped in easing the situation a little,” Mamata told reporters at the state secretariat ‘Nabanna’.

She allowed the jute industry to work with 40 per cent workforce in place of the existing 30 per cent.

"We will see that the state's economy is not disturbed," Mamata said.

Under the current norms, shops and markets selling vegetables, fruits, groceries, milk, bread, meat and eggs remain open from 7am to 10am, while medicine shops and optical stores have regular working hours. Sweet shops, saree stores are open between a certain time window while banks remain operational from 10 am to 2pm.

Vehicular movement including private and government buses have been completely stopped along with Metro while taxis, app-based cabs and auto-rickshaws would be severely restricted. Private vehicles would be allowed only in case of medical emergencies. Trucks, except for those carrying food items, are not being allowed to ply for the time being Schools, colleges and educational institutions will remain closed. Shopping complexes, malls, spas, cinemas and other places of public gathering will remain shut.

The government had also announced a curb on all outdoor movements between 9 pm to 5 am.

Boards in July-August

Bengal will hold the Class 12 board examinations in the last week of July, while the tests for Class 10 will take place in mid-August, Mamata Banerjee said on the day.

The dates will be announced later by the respective boards, she said.

"We have decided to hold the secondary (Madhyamik) and higher secondary (Uccho Madhyamik) examinations... adhering to all Covid-19 safety protocols," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.

Both the board examinations will be held at home centres and only for compulsory subjects, she added.

Yaas survey on Friday

Mamata will conduct an aerial survey of cyclone-affected areas in East Midnapore, North 24-Paragans and South 24-Parganas on Friday, chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said on Wednesday.

“Honourable chief minister has decided (that), after waiting for the water to drain out and for the weather to get better, on May 28, she will conduct an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas where embankments have been destroyed, flooded by water and will hold local administrative reviews on the aftermath at several points…” Bandyopadhyay said.

The chief secretary said Mamata would first survey the affected areas of Sandeshkhali and Dhamakhali in North 24-Parganas. She will then hold a local review meeting at Hingalganj. After that, the chief minister will fly to Sagar in South 24-Parganas and on her way, will aerially take stock of the flood situation in the Sunderbans. At Sagar, she will hold her second meeting.