Amid spike in Covid cases, West Bengal to shut schools, colleges from 3 Jan

Jan. 2: The West Bengal government on Sunday announced a slew of strict lockdown-like measures amid a sharp surge in coronavirus cases in the state and violation of Covid-19 norms by the populace. West Bengal has imposed a series of fresh coronavirus disease -related restrictions from January 3 (Monday), under which all schools and colleges in the state will once again shut their gates. Moreover, restrictive measures have also been imposed on shopping malls, market complexes, restaurants, and bars, wherein they will now allow only 50 per cent of their total capacity.

Government and private offices can work at 50 per cent capacity, with all administrative meetings to be conducted virtually. Work from home will be encouraged as much as possible. All tourist places in West Bengal shall remain closed from tomorrow, that is, Monday. Flights to Kolkata from Delhi and Mumbai will only be allowed on two days of the week – Monday and Friday.

Local trains in West Bengal will run with 50 per cent capacity till 7 in the evening. No local trains will be allowed on tracks post-7pm; however, all long-distance trains will continue running as they are.’ Kolkata Metro services shall operate with 50 per cent seating capacity as per usual operational time. The movement of people and vehicles and public gatherings of any kind shall be prohibited between 10pm to 5am. Only essential and emergency services shall be permitted.

The state reported 4,512 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, which takes its active caseload to 13,300 – the third-highest in the country after Maharashtra and Kerala. Bengal has also reported 20 cases of the more infectious Omicron variant, the rapid spread of which has triggered alarm bells across the world and in India.