Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended the current lockdown with relaxations in the state from June 30 to July 31. As the coronavirus tally crossed the 15,000-mark in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced the extension of the ongoing lockdown in the state till July 31. In order to contain novel coronavirus cases in the state, the state government has said that the existing relaxations will continue.
Earlier the lockdown was supposed to end on June 30. The decision to extend the lockdown was taken after an all-party meeting to deliberate on the COVID-19 situation. Announcing this at the end of a 3-hour all party meeting today, Ms Banerjee said, “The COVID-19 problem is spreading. Let is try and extend the lockdown with restrictions till July 31.”
Mamta Banerjee also said that like Maharashtra and Delhi, West Bengal too is working on a cap on cost of treatment. “Maharashtra and Delhi have done it. We should too,” she said. She said that during the time of pandemic hospitals need to provide services to mankind instead of focussing on doing business. “All parties demanded this cap. This is not a time to do business. There is a pandemic and hospitals must work in the spirit of service,” she said.
Bengal recorded 445 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the total number of infections to 15,173. 591 people have succumbed to the deadly contagious virus disease.
Highlights:
- The complete lockdown measures in containment zones will be applied in order to contain the spread of the virus.
- Schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain closed till July 31.
- Places of worship will remain open but the norms of social distancing and wearing a mask is a must.
- Restaurants and shopping malls will open but following the Centre’s guidelines.
- Metro and suburban train services will not operate in the state.
- Government offices will function with not more than 70 per cent attendance.
- Private offices too can open and are allowed to function but all norms laid by the state have to be met. They can open with reduced attendance.