Restaurants, bars, night clubs in Bengal to be closed from Sunday, no Higher Secondary exams till March 31

The West Bengal government has taken major steps to stop the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. All restaurants, bars and night clubs are to be shut from Sunday. The state administration has also asked for suspending the ongoing Higher Secondary examinations. The examinations till March 31 have been kept on hold and decision on the subsequent examination schedule is to be announced later.

There have been three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state already — all brought in from the UK. All the three are young persons below 30 who had recently returned from London and Edinburgh. Their family members have been isolated and are under watch of doctors.

However, this is an extremely crucial stage where the spread can be arrested with stern measures. As a result, the government took these measures so that the spread can be stopped immediately. Hundreds of people are in hospital and under home quarantine.

West Bengal government has already taken a number of measures like supplying free rice to over seven crore poor people, and asking half of their staff to remain home for one week and work by rotation. Some have also been asked to work from home. Private hospitals have also been roped in handle patients, conduct tests and treatment by forming separate isolation wards. Overall, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed to the people to be cautious but not panic.