West Bengal: Strict lockdown in Kolkata, violations reported in some districts – Outlook India

Kolkata, Aug 21 (PTI) Normal life came to a grinding
halt in the city on Friday as a complete shutdown was enforced
across West Bengal for the second consecutive day this week to
stem the spread of COVID-19 cases, while violation of the
lockdown restrictions was witnessed in some towns and rural
areas in the state.

Incessant overnight rain owing to a low-pressure
system that continued this morning also forced people to stay
indoors in the city and most other places in south Bengal.

All public transport, government and private offices,
banks and other commercial establishments, barring those
dealing with essential services, were closed due to the
lockdown.

Flight operations in and out of the Kolkata
international airport were suspended for the day, while long-
distance trains were also rescheduled.

Essential services like medicine shops and health
establishments remained open as these were kept out of the
purview of the complete shutdown. Petrol pumps are also
allowed to remain open on the lockdown days.

Security has been tightened to enforce the lockdown
and police personnel were seen patrolling major traffic
intersections in Kolkata.

Violation of the shutdown norms was, however,
witnessed in some towns such as Canning, Cooch Behar, Malda
and Durgapur as some shops in these areas were seen open in
the morning.

In several district towns, police personnel were seen
checking papers of those vehicles that were out on the streets
despite the restrictions.

A complete lockdown was also enforced across the state
on Thursday.

At least 2,687 people were arrested from across the
state, 541 of them in Kolkata, on the charge of violation of
the lockdown guidelines and safety precautions.

A total shutdown was earlier imposed in West Bengal on
July 23, 25 and 29 and August 5 and 8.

There will be a complete lockdown on August 27 and 31.

West Bengal”s COVID-19 caseload mounted to 1,29,119 on
Thursday with the highest single-day spike of 3,197
infections, the state”s health department said.

The death toll in the state rose to 2,634 after 53
people succumbed to the virus since Wednesday, it added. PTI
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