Kolkata: The West Bengal government has reimposed COVID restrictions with orders to close all educational institutions and limit staff attendance to 50 per cent in offices from Monday due to a massive spike in infection cases.
Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi announced in a press conference on Sunday that only essential services would be allowed in the state between 10 pm and 5 am. He said local trains would be allowed to run with 50 per cent capacity till 7 pm, while all shopping malls and markets would be allowed to remain open till 10 pm, but with half their capacity.
Long distance trains will run as per their normal schedule. Metro trains in Kolkata will also run as per their normal schedule, but with 50 per cent capacity. He said that all places of tourist attractions including zoo will remain closed and swimming pools, parlors, spas, wellness centers and gyms have also been asked to be closed.
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Dwivedi said that flights from Mumbai and New Delhi will run only twice a week and no flights from UK will be allowed. Cinema halls and theaters have been allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity. Meetings and conferences have been permitted with a maximum of 200 people at a time or 50 per cent of the hall capacity, whichever is less.
Bars and restaurants have been allowed to remain open with 50 per cent capacity till 10 pm, while home delivery of food and other essential products will be allowed as per normal operating hours.
The Chief Secretary said that not more than 50 persons would be allowed in weddings, and only 20 persons would be allowed during funerals. The state government asked the management of industries, factories, mills, tea gardens and other commercial establishments to ensure strict compliance of the guidelines. According to the state health department, West Bengal recorded 4,512 new cases of infection on Saturday, which is 1,061 more than the previous day. 2,398 new cases have been registered in Kolkata.(Agency)