Kolkata, March 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal government on Sunday ordered complete lockdown of Kolkata, six entire districts and municipal and district towns besides some rural areas in other parts of the state from 5 p.m. on Monday to Friday midnight to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The order, covering whole or part of all the 23 districts in the state, was given under the West Bengal Epidemic Disease COVID-19 regulations, 2020, framed according to relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
"The government of West Bengal hereby notifies 'complete safety restriction' with effect from 5 p.m. on March 23 to midnight of March 27," said the order, which would come into effect across identified urban and rural areas for prevention and containment of coronavirus.
The order stipulates complete restrictions on public transport services including operation of taxis and auto-rickshaws, closure of all shops, commercial establishments, offices and factories, workshops and warehouses.
"All foreign returnees and other such persons so required by the health personnel are directed to remain under strict home quarantine for a period as directed by the local health authorities," it said.
The order issued by the Chief Secretary also asked people to stay at home and come out only for basic services while strictly following the social distancing guidelines.
The government also prohibited congregation of more than seven persons in public places and warned that violators would ve punished under section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.
Apart from the entire Kolkata Municipal Corporation area, six entire districts - Howrah, West Burdwan, Nadia, Murshidabad, Malda and North Dinajpur - have been brought under the ambit of the restrictions.
Establishments and services excluded from the restrictions are banks and ATMs, food, including public distribution system, groceries, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, bread and milk selling, e-commerce of groceries, food items and home delivery of food, petrol pump, LPG gas and media.
Health services, medicine shops, optical stores, manufacturing units engaged in production of essential commodities, telecom, internet, Information Technology and Information Technology enabled services, postal services, fire, civil defence and emergency services have also been exempted from the restrictions.
Other exempted services including law and order, ourts and correctional services, police, armed forces and paramilitary forces, electricity, water and conservancy services.
District Magistrates and Municipal Commissioners have been made the competent authority to decide in case there is doubt over any establishment being essential or not.
Four persons have been detected with coronavirus infection in Bengal so far.
Source: IANS
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