West Bengal extends lockdown till 15 June

May 27: To curb the spread of COVID-19 cases in West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee-led government on Thursday decided to extend the lockdown further till June 15. The ongoing lockdown in the state was to end on May 30. West Bengal reported one of its highest drop in active COVID-19 cases – of around 3,000 in past 24-hours as new infections fell to 16,225 on Wednesday. The state had reported over 17,000 fresh cases a day ago.

“Please don’t call this a lockdown. Covid numbers have come down and for the sake of the economy there will be no total lockdown,” the Chief Minister said, adding, “The pandemic situation in the state has eased a little because of existing restrictions.” Restrictions announced earlier this month will carry over into the new ‘near-lockdown’ period. Further, restrictions announced earlier this month will carry over into the new ‘near-lockdown’ period.