West Bengal announces partial lockdown amid Covid-19 surge, bans all gatherings
The West Bengal government on Friday imposed a partial lockdown amid the rising cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in state. All shopping malls, beauty parlours, cinema halls, restaurants and bars, sports complexes, gyms, spas and swimming pools will remain closed in view of the Covid-19 curbs, a release issued by the government said. However, home delivery of items and online services will be allowed to function, it added.
The curbs were imposed with immediate effect and will remain in place until further orders, the government said.
Click here for full Covid-19 coverage
Gatherings of all kinds, including those for social, cultural, academic or entertainment purposes will be banned, the release said, adding that markets will be open only from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 5pm on all days. Those places catering to essential services such as medical shops and grocery shops can remain open at times other than the specified time period, the release said.
Anticipating a gathering on the day of counting of votes in the recently concluded assembly election, the government said all activities related to electoral counting processes and victory rallies will be held in accordance with the order issued in this regard by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Also Read: West Bengal adds record single-day Covid-19 deaths, 17,403 fresh cases
"...while unnecessary congregation in the neighbourhoods of counting halls will also be discoutaged and restricted and will have to abide by the physical distancing norms and other Covid-appropriate behaviour. It has to be ensured that crowding/loitering near the counting venue is averted," the order read.
West Bengal registered its highest single-day deaths of 89 people due to the virus on Thursday, pushing the toll to 11,248, according to the state health department. The Covid-19 tally topped the 8 lakh-mark to settle at 8,10,955 after 17,403 tested positive in the last 24 hours in the state, it added.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
Locals flag safety concerns on skywalk nearly two km from CM Shinde’s residence
Four days after a college student was allegedly molested on a skywalk at Manpada, local residents have raised safety concerns over another skywalk in the heart of the city which they claim is taken over by miscreants at night as there are no adequate lights and CCTV cameras. Interestingly, this skywalk near Viviana Mall is barely a few metres from former minister Jitendra Awhad's home and around two km from chief minister Eknath Shinde's residence.
-
Newly-appointed ministers lobby for posh Malabar Hill official bungalows
With its private beach and a sprawling lawn, Ramtek bungalow in Malabar Hill leads the list, followed by Royal Stone, a colonial-style bungalow with wooden flooring located in Peddar Road. While Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil have requested for Royal Stone, forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, labour minister Suresh Khade and Vikhe-Patil are vying for Ramtek bungalow, the largest bungalow after Varsha, the official residence of the chief minister.
-
Mulund building collapse: Roof gives way, killing old couple
Mumbai: Two senior citizens lost their lives after the ceiling of a residential structure in which they resided came down on Monday evening. The deceased were identified as Devshankar Nathalal Shukla (93) and his wife, Arkhiben Devshankar Shukla (87). According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) disaster control cell, the incident took place at around 7.46 pm, on the first floor of the building.
-
Violence erupts over Savarkar, Tipu photos in Shivamogga
Karnataka Police on Monday imposed curbs under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Shivamogga town after a clash between two groups over banners featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue V D Savarkar and 18th Century ruler Tipu Sultan. A senior police officer familiar with the matter said tension broke out after a banner featuring Savarkar was put up at Amir Ahmed Circle, in Shivamogga, as part of Independence Day celebrations.
-
In a first, Tricolour hoisted at Idgah Maidan amid tight vigil
In a first, the national flag was hoisted amid tight security on Monday morning at Idgah Maidan in Chamarajpet. The Tricolour was hoisted at the Idgah Maidan by assistant commissioner of Bengaluru (Urban) MG Shivanna. Chamarajpet MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan, member of Lok Sabha from Bengaluru Central constituency PC Mohan, additional commissioner of police (Bengaluru west) Sandeep Patil and deputy commissioner of police (Bengaluru west) Laxman Nimbargi were also present in the event.
