West Bengal Lockdown4 Guidelines: Mamata Banerjee said masks should be made part of life. (File)
Private offices, including those in shopping malls, can operate with 50 per cent strength on alternate days, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday, announcing guidelines for coronavirus Lockdown4. Salons and beauty parlours can function in the state but have been warned to maintain disinfection of tools, sanitisation of premises, social distancing and hygiene or risk closure.
Hotels can be opened in Bengal but with strict social distancing in place. Inter-district buses will be allowed. Taxis and buses are already operating with two and 30 passengers respectively. From May 27, autorickshaws may can also run with two passengers. Sports is permitted but no gathering of spectators can take place, she said.
Also opening from May 27 are 'hawker markets' or complexes full of shops set up by hawkers who once sold their goods on the pavement. The shops in these markets will open on alternate days.
"But big shops except in containment zones can open from the 21," Ms Banerjee said. But shops at malls have not been given the green signal yet.
"The lockdown will continue," she added. But no escape from politics between the Centre and the state. Ms Banerjee made it clear there would be no curfew.
"We are not declaring curfew, but the lockdown will continue till May 31. We don't like the word curfew. We don't want to force anything on the people. But police will do their job," she said.
The number of people who can congregate has also been relaxed. Earlier, a maximum of seven people were allowed to gather at shops and post offices, for instance, and for weddings and funerals. That number has been raised to 15. The Centre has said the local authorities may impose Section 144 or restrictions on assembly. That will not be implemented in Bengal.
Ms Banerjee said she will also examine if the constitution had been violated by the Centre by summoning the state's resident commissioner in Delhi. "Neither I nor the Chief Secretary was told about the meeting or permission sought to summon the resident commissioner," she said.
But the West Bengal government has made the most of the Centre's decision to let states demarcate zones. Bengal will have three zones now. Zone A for a Covid-19 affected areas, Zone B for buffer areas and Zone C for a clean area or without any Covid-19.
Ms Banerjee said social distancing should be strictly followed and masks should be made part of life.
"We have to make wearing masks part of our lives. It is a sign of respect to others," she said.
On the migrant crisis, she said her government is paying fares for their travel to home states.
"We are bringing back the migrant workers. We are paying fares and taking care of all costs," she adds.
"Some two/three lakh people have come via buses, trains. This is not the time to do politics now. Those who are coming to the border have to provide full information so that we can keep a track," she added.
States and union territories cannot dilute restrictions despite widespread relaxations, the central government said today, as India went into lockdown4 to fight coronavirus.
The home ministry has asserted that states and union territories are allowed to ban other activities and impose more restrictions, if needed.