Bengal CM gets to work, announces stricter Covid curbs soon after taking oath

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced more restrictions owing to rising number of coronvirus cases.

Curbs imposed on shopping complexes, gyms, cinema halls, beauty parlours on April 30 have been extended, they will continue to be closed.

Ban on social and political gatherings prohibited has also been extended.

From Thursday, all markets, retailers, standalone shops to function from 7 am to 10 am and later from 5 pm to 7 pm only.Jewellery shops will remain open from 12 noon to 3pm. Working hours for banks will be 10am to 2pm.

There will be only 50% attendance at govt offices and private sector offices.

While local trains will be suspended from May 6, state transport including metro will function with 50% capacity.

From May 7, all passengers arriving by air will have to show a negative RT-PCR test not older than 72 hours. Random checking will be done for passengers coming by inter-state buses or train - RT-PCR negative report not older then 72 hours is mandatory for the passengers.

West Bengal on Tuesday reported its highest single-day deaths of 107 Covid patients and also recorded its highest daily spike with 17,639 new cases.