Bengal imposes fresh Covid curbs: Schools shut, all offices to work with 50% staff from Monday

Kolkata, Jan 02: West Bengal government on Sunday announced fresh covid curbs as infections rise across the country. The decision was taken amid concerns over high rate of infection and rising Omicron variant.

• According to the new rules, all schools, colleges, universities will remain closed. Only administrative activities will be allowed at 50 per cent capacity at a time.
• All government and private undertakings will operate at 50 per cent capacity. Work from home should be encouraged.
• Swimming pools, spa, beauty parlours, gyms and wellness centres will remain closed from tomorrow.
• All entertainment parks, zoo, tourist places will be closed. Shopping malls and market complexes will operate with 50% capacity.
• Local trains in will run with 50 per cent capacity till 7 in the evening.
• All tourist places in West Bengal shall remain closed from tomorrow
• Flights to Kolkata from Delhi and Mumbai will only be allowed on two days of the week - Monday and Friday.
• All religious, cultural, and social gatherings in the state will have to ensure that they only allow 50 people at the most.
• Shopping malls and market complexes may function with restricted entry of people by not exceeding 50 per cent of the capacity at a time and up to 10pm.
• Restaurants and bars may operate with 50 per cent of the capacity at a time and up to 10pm.
• Cinema halls can operate with 50 per cent capacity at a time till 10 pm.
• Meetings and conferences shall be allowed with a maximum of 200 people at a time or 50 per cent seating capacity of the hall, whichever is lower.
• No more than 50 persons shall be allowed for marriage-related ceremonies.
• No more than 20 persons shall be allowed for funeral/burial services and last rites.
• 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.