Parts of Posta to be sealed from today

KOLKATA: The government will seal pockets of Posta, a portion of which houses city’s biggest wholesale market for essential commodities, for a week starting Thursday to stop the transmission of novel coronavirus. Despite several measures, people from the area continue to test positive to Covid-19.
The business hub emerged as a problem point for the administration after multiple Covid-19 cases were reported from various pockets in the past few weeks. The cops barricaded several neighbourhoods and imposed other restrictions, but cases kept increasing along with deaths of at least four people. When two people from the area tested positive on Tuesday again, the local administration decided to cut-off the affected pockets from the rest of the area.

Cops have assured that the supply of essential commodities from the wholesale market of Posta will not be disrupted as they are making special arrangements, like deploying more police for smooth passage of vehicles.
The cops started announcing over public address system informing residents that Hanspukur Lane, Hanspukur First Lane, Hanspukur 2nd Lane, Shiv Thakur Lane and all its bylanes, Ganguly Lane and apart of Cotton Street will be sealed from Thursday. The residents were also told to arrange for rations which will last them for over a week because nobody will be allowed to step out of their buildings for the next one week. Only those in severe medical emergency will be allowed to step out of their home.
“Some pockets of the ward will be sealed to stop the transmission of the virus. We have been reaching out to people making them aware of social distancing norms and compliance to lockdown. Some of the pockets from where cases have been reported are being sealed,” said local councillor Vijay Ojha.
According to officers of Posta police station, close to 5,000 people reside in the pocket that will remain sealed between May 7 and May 15. All the areas are in ward 23.
Police started sealing off several access points to the area on Wednesday afternoon. “People cannot step out of their buildings in any situation. They have been told to stock ration that will last at least a week. If they need anything, they can get in touch with the cops on duty in the area,” said an officer of Posta police station. Only those with health emergencies will be allowed to step out.
Residents who have their business outside the containment zone will also not be allowed to leave their homes. “It is very important to comply with the new guidelines for the next one week to cut the transmission chain or else cases will keep rising,” said an official in the local administration.
“We have kept the supply chain active since the start of the lockdown. Sealing of portions of Posta will not impact the supply of essential commodities as we are taking special precautions. The drivers and labourers will wear masks at all times. We will also keep in constant touch with police,” said Biswanath Aggarwal, general secretary of the Posta Bazar Merchants’ Welfare Association.