Mamata Banerjee: COVID-19 can’t be wiped out soon, several sectors to be re-opened dividing red zones into 3 areas

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that it won’t be easy to wipe out Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) so soon, and we have to learn to live with it in the days ahead.

At a press conference after she held a meeting with senior officers across the state, Banerjee said that red zones in the state will be divided into three areas depending on their vulnerability to COVID-19. Those with containment zones will be kept with maximum restrictions. The middle zone will have some restrictions lifted and the third category will have more relaxations. The state and city police authorities will make the detailed plans within three days on these zones.

Banerjee said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi too had hinted about the days ahead to be a mix of restrictions and relaxations depending on the impact of the virus in specific locations. The Bengal government is making a three-month short term plan ahead and mid-term and long-term plans too in order to make various sectors start functioning and a gradual exit from the lockdown.

Based on local inputs and areas impacted by COVID-19, the state is planning to allow eateries to remain open from 12 noon to 6 pm. Home delivery has already been running, and people will have to take the food home, but sitting and eating won’t be allowed still. Shops selling jewellery, paints, mobile charging and electronics will be allowed. Editing, dubbing and mixing works in film and television industry will be allowed by following social distancing norms. Shops selling hand woven textiles will be open.

The state government will approve 11 lakh kisan credit cards for the farmers. Migrant workers who have returned from other states will get employment in the 100 days’ work as well, along with people working in the state.

Banerjee today also said that this is no time for politics. Without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she said that the state election in Bengal is scheduled more than a year later. “What’s the hurry?” she asked, adding that the opposition political parties should not politicise the situation, spread fake news or incite communal violence.