West Bengal Covid Restrictions extended

Whereas, in order to contain spread of COVID-19 pandemic, state government vide order No 753/X-ISS/2M-22/2020 dated 30/09/2021 read with various orders issued earlier, notified certain restriction and relaxation measures in terms of the provisions under Disaster Management Act 2005 read with West Bengal Epidemic Disease, Covid-19 Regulations 2020, which are in effect till 30th October 2021.

Whereas, after a review of the current situation of COVID pandemic, State Executive Committee of West Bengal State Disaster Management Authority recommended further extension of restriction and relaxations measures as already in force with certain additional relaxations.

Accordingly, in terms of the provisions under Disaster Management Act 2005 read with West Bengal Epidemic Disease, Covid-19 Regulations 2020, and in continuation of earlier orders, restriction and relaxation measures as already in force vide aforesaid orders stand extended upto 30/11/2021 with following additional relaxations:

i) Schools for classes IX-XII, colleges and universities shall open with effect from 16/11/2021 following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by School Education and Higher Education Departments.

ii) Intra-state local train movement may operate with 50% of seating capacity.

iii) All government offices related to non-emergency and non-essential services shall now function with 50% of total strength. Government offices related to emergency and essential services shall continue to function with 100% strength.

iv) Cinema Halls, theatre halls, sadans, manchas, auditoriums, stadiums, shopping malls, market complexes, restaurants, spa and gym will be allowed to operate with 70% of capacity at a time as per normal operational hours but not beyond 11 pm.

v) Coaching centres for competitive examinations may remain open with 70% of capacity at a time.

vi) Restaurants and bars may operate with 70 % of seating capacity at a time as per normal operational hours but not beyond 11 pm.

vii) Indoor social gatherings including marriage ceremonies, shooting for films and TV programmes and audio recording activities etc will be allowed with 70 % of capacity of the hall/ venue.

viii) Outdoor activities for all permissible activities including shooting for films and TV programmes will be allowed with adherence of physical distancing and COVED appropriate protocols.

Restriction relating to movement of people and vehicles between 11 pm to 5 am shall continue to be in force but shall be relaxed for Kali Puia and Diwali during 2nd-5th November 2021 and for Chhat Puia during 10th-11th November 2021.

Wearing of masks, maintenance of physical distancing and health & hygiene protocol must be followed at all times.

Employers/ management bodies/ owners/ supervisors of all offices, establishments and work places shall be responsible for provisioning of all COVID safety measures including regular sanitization of work places, vaccination of employees and for compliance of stated directives and COVID appropriate norms. Work from home may be encouraged as far as possible and practical.

Wearing of masks, maintenance of physical distancing and health & hygiene protocol must be followed at all times.

District administration, police commissionerates and local authorities shall ensure strict compliance of the stated directives. Any violation of the restriction measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and under Indian Penal Code.

Chief Secretary

Source

covid19