The West Bengal government on Friday decided to impose an indefinite prohibition on public spaces, including shopping malls, markets, restaurants, bars, gyms, beauty parlours and swimming pools, with immediate effect. Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay issued the order under the powers conferred in Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act.
The government also added that any gathering, including social, cultural, academic and entertainment, will remain prohibited throughout the state. However, home delivery and online services would be allowed. While markets shall remain open from 7 AM-10 AM in the morning and 3 PM-5 PM in the evening, medicine shops, medical equipment stores, milk vending outlets, grocery shops and other essential outlets will be exempted.
The government has also made it clear that everybody will have to follow the instructions and the Covid guidelines laid down by the commission during and after the announcement of the Assembly election results on Sunday.