MAMATA Govt extends Covid-19 restrictions

West Bengal government has extended restrictions in view of the COVID-19 situation in the state till July 1. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that the decision has been taken to contain the fast-spreading viral disease. Additional relaxations will be allowed. All government offices with 25 percent strength will function from June 16. Bazaars and markets will remain open between 7:00-11:00 am. Other retail shops will remain open between 11:00-6:00 pm. Parks can open from 6:00 am to 9:00 am for morning walks. Those who have taken COVID-19 vaccines will be allowed entry inside the parks. Schools/academic institutions to remain closed until further notice. All intra-state buses to remain closed until further notice. Private vehicles/cabs can only function for emergency or essential services. Individuals’ movement allowed from 9 pm to 5 am. CM Mamata Banerjee says the positivity rate during general assembly polls was 22 percent, which has now been reduced to 6 percent. Malls allowed to open from 11 am-6 pm with a 30% capacity. Games and sports can resume without spectators. Gyms, beauty parlours, salons and cinema halls will remain closed. Meanwhile, West Bengal as on June 13, recorded 3,984 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 84 deaths in the last 24 hours. As many as 2,497 more people were cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 14,26,710. Densely populated  North 24 Parganas district recorded the highest number of new cases at 597, followed by 426 in Kolkata. As many as 2,497 more people were cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 14,26,710. The recovery rate among the coronavirus patients in the state stands at 97.64 percent, the bulletin said. There were 17,651 active cases of COVID-19 in the state as of Sunday. Edited by PK Chakravarty