Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced more measures to contain the spread of coronavirus cases in the state.
Under the new restrictions, local trains will be suspended from Thursday, and from Friday onwards those entering the state will have to show a negative Covid test report. Airport authorities were asked to set up quarantine facilities to take in passengers.
“There won't be a total lockdown. Emergency and essential services will be outside the purview of restrictions,” the chief minister was quoted as saying by ndtv.com.
She had chaired a meeting on Wednesday immediately after taking oath as the chief minister of Bengal.
Metro rail and government-run transport services will be curtailed by 50 per cent from Thursday, the CM added.
Passengers entering Bengal via long-distance trains, inter- state buses must carry RT-PCR negative report, she said.
Offices in the state will now operate with only 50 per cent capacity. Banks will operate from 10 am to 2 pm as part of the new restrictions.
The state administration has also requested private firms to encourage work from home, the CM said.
"Local trains will be suspended from tomorrow. State-run transport and metro services will be reduced by 50 per cent. Starting May 7, air passengers will be allowed in Bengal only if they carry RT-PCR negative report, which is not older than 72 hours prior to boarding," the chief minister said addressing a press conference.
Stand-alone shops will remain open for three hours in the morning -- from 7 am to 10 am -- and two hours in the evening, 5 pm to 7 pm. Jewellery shops will function from noon to 3 pm.
Mamata alleged that the state was not receiving enough vaccines, but assured the people of Bengal that the authorities were “managing the oxygen situation”.
“Transport workers, hawkers and journalists will get priority when it comes to vaccines,” she said.
Days ago, the government had announced a partial lockdown in the state, ordering bars and restaurants indefinitely closed from May 1 and announced some other restrictions to contain the spread of Covid.
