Devotes stand outside the main gate of the Dakshineswar Temple that was closed in view of the Covid-19 spread, in Kolkata on Saturday (PTI) With Kolkata reporting a test-positivity rate of over 23% – one of the highest in the country – amid the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in the state, the West Bengal government on Sunday imposed fresh restrictions, effective from Monday, till January 15. The government announced the closure of educational institutions, entertainment parks and tourist places, and 50% attendance in offices and local trains.
Shopping malls, cinema halls and restaurants have been allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their capacity till 10 pm, and only essential services will be permitted to operate between 10 pm and 5 am.
The government also limited the arrival of flights from Mumbai and Delhi – the two cities with a high number of Covid-19 cases – to two days, Mondays and Fridays, from January 5.
Speaking to mediapersons after attending a high-level review meeting on Covid-19, Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi said: “We have already suspended direct flights from the United Kingdom. Due to a spike in Covid-19 cases and especially the spread of the Omicron variant of the virus, we have decided to impose further restrictions in the state from January 3… The restrictions, to remain in force till January 15.”
The government has also decided to test at least 10 per cent of the total flyers arriving from other countries through RT-PCR – up from 2 per cent earlier. The rest will undergo rapid antigen tests.
“Covid-19 cases have gone up, but there is no need to panic,” Dwivedi added.
In the last 24 hours, 6,153 new cases of Covid-19 were reported, with Kolkata alone reporting nearly half of them – 3,194. The active cases in the state has jumped to over 17,000.
As per an order issued by the government later, all academic activities in schools, colleges and universities will remain closed. Only administrative activities will be permitted with 50 per cent of employees at a time.
“All government offices — including public undertakings — shall function with 50 per cent of employees at a time. Work from home shall be encouraged as far as possible. All private offices and establishments shall function with 50 per cent of employees at a time… Swimming pools, spas, gyms, beauty parlours, salons and wellness centres shall remain closed. All entertainment parks, zoos, tourist places shall remain closed,” read the order.
“Meetings and conferences shall be allowed with a maximum of 200 people at a time or 50 per cent seating capacity of the hall, whichever is lower,” read the order.
Gatherings in social, religious and cultural events have been limited to 50 people. “Not more than 50 people shall be allowed for marriage related ceremonies. Not more than 20 people shall be allowed for funeral/burial services and last rites. Local trains shall operate with 50 per cent seating capacity up to 7 PM only. Metro services shall operate with 50 per cent seating capacity as per usual operational time,” it added.
Food delivery and other essential services have been allowed to operate on the condition that they strictly adhere to protocols.
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