COVID-19: Restrictions in West Bengal to continue till June 15

The West Bengal government on Thursday extended the restrictions for another two weeks across the state from June 15. The current restrictions were valid till May 30. This means all the restrictions that are in place will continue in the same way. The only difference will be an increase in the number of workers for the jute industry by 10 per cent.

The restrictions mean that all offices and educational institutions will be shut during this period along with transport services, including the Kolkata Metro. Only emergency services will be allowed, according to the notification issued by the state government.

Here is a look at the restrictions across Bengal. These are some of the key points:

*All schools, colleges and educational institutions to remain closed.

*All government and private institutions to remain closed except those working for emergency and essential services.

*Groceries and shops selling essential items will be open between 7 AM to 10 AM.

*All local trains, buses, Metro Railway to remain closed

*Movement of taxis, autorickshaws and private vehicles also closed except for movement between hospitals and clinics (including those who need to reach clinics and hospitals for vaccination).

*E-commerce and home delivery to be allowed.

*Tea gardens to operate with 50% strength per shift and jute mills to remain open with 30% strength per shift.

*Shopping malls, gyms, cinema halls, markets, restaurants, bars, swimming pools etc to remain closed.

*Sweetmeat shops will be allowed to remain open between 10 AM and 5 PM.

*Jewellery and saree shops to remain open between 12 noon to 3 PM.

*Medicine shops and optical stores to remain open as per regular working hours.

*Banks to remain open between 10 AM and 2 PM.

*No cultural, political, academic, administrative, or religious events and functions will be allowed in the state during the lockdown and no outdoor congregations will be permitted between 9 PM and 5 AM.