Kolkata: The West Bengal government has allowed indoor and outdoor activities related to TV and cinema production, barring reality show production, with not more than 35 persons per unit, from June 1. The functioning of tea gardens, jute mills, MSME industries, including mining activities, with 100 per cent strength of workers, have also been allowed from June 1.
Intra-state (inter-district) movement of government and private buses, with passengers not more than the actual seating capacity of the buses, has been allowed. However, as per the advisory issued by the state government, all passengers shall have to wear face masks and gloves during the entire journey.
All religious place of worship, in consultation with the local police station, will open, and a maximum of 10 persons at a time will be allowed to enter the premises. Gathering or assembly of people shall not be allowed in the said premises, said the advisory.
Functioning of government offices with 70 per cent strength on a day on rotation basis will resume from June 8. Operations of private offices and establishments, w.e.f. June 8, with the number of workers as decided by the management. The advisory, however, advised that work from home should be encouraged. All hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and hospitality sector will resume their services from June 8.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Central government on the running migrant special trains. "They are stuffing the Shramik trains full of people, there is no social distancing, no food, no water, nothing," she said. "What are they trying to do? Are they running Shramik trains or are they trying to run Corona Express?"
The chief minister said the railway ministry could easily increase the number of coaches in the trains to prevent crowding. "I was rail minister. I know we have enough rakes. They can easily make the trains longer and stop crowding the trains full of people for 48 hours with no water and no food. West Bengal was successful in controlling the Covid-19 spread in the last two months. Cases are increasing now as people are coming from outside," said the Chief Minister.
