Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Tuesday announced to extend the partial lockdown in the state till August-end. State chief minister announced that there will be a complete lokcdown in the state for two days every week. Many states have implemented the local lockdown to curb the Covid-19 spread in the area.
Here's the complete lockdown schedule In West Bengal
July 29, Wednesday, August 5, Wednesday, August 8, Saturday, August 16, Sunday, August 17, Monday, August 23, Sunday, August 24, Monday
The state government earlier announced lockdown on August 2 and 9 but later withdrew it. "After announcing the state-wide complete lockdown dates in the state the government has been receiving request and appeal from different quarters not to observe state-wide lockdown on certain dates coinciding with festivals and important community occasions. Respecting the sentiments of the people we are withdrawing complete lockdown announcement for August 2 and August 9," the West Bengal government tweeted.
What's allowed, what's not
In the wake of coronavirus outbreak in Bengal, the state government has decided to implement a biweekly lokcdown to prevent the virus spread. Only the essential services will be allowed during the lockdown. Medical outlets will remain open. All the other shops will be shut for two days a week across the state. The educational institutions will remain closed till August-end. All the government and private offices, commercial establishments will also be shut.
All the public and private transport will remain shut. The domestic flight operations from Kolkata airport will be suspended due to the partial lockdown in the state. However, there is no confirmation yet on whether the flight services will remain shut on those days when lockdown is being implemented in Bengal next month. Eastern Railways has also cancelled the trains scheduled on July 29.
Petrol pumps are allowed to function on the days of complete lockdown. To prevent the spread of virus among bank employees, the state government earlier decided to let all bank branches shut all over the state on all Saturdays. "The Governor is pleased to declare that all Saturdays shall be public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 in respect of all bank branches working in the State of West Bengal, in addition to the existing holidays on 2nd and 4th Saturdays," the finance (audit) department said. So the all the bank branches will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays until further notice.
