To combat the spread of COVID-19, West Bengali CM Mamata Bannerjee has announced a complete lockdown across the state for two days every week. The lockdown will be in place on July 23 and July 25. The government came to this decision after the rapid infection spread through community transmission in different parts of West Bengal. Also, the total number of ‘broad-based’ containment zones in the state has reached 739. Kolkata had 24 red zones earlier. Now the count is around 32. Kolkata has even banned the entry of flights from six Indian cities highly affected by the virus.
West Bengal To Have Complete Lockdown For Two Days In A Week
As per reports, Home secretary of the state, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, has declared, “There are a few places in the state where community transmission of COVID-19 has been detected. After talking to experts, doctors, enforcement authorities and the police, we have decided to impose complete lockdown for two days every week.” All offices and transport services will remain shut on these two days. After a single day spike of 2,278 new coronavirus cases, the total number of confirmed cases in West Bengal has increased to 42,487. The death toll is nearly 1112.
Also, a complete lockdown will be in effect in Dum Dum, Kolkata till July 31. Residents living in the areas that fall under Dum Dum Municipality have permissions to step out only between 7 AM and 12 noon for essential purposes. The lockdown in the entire state of West Bengal will take place on Thursday and Saturday, this week. Next week, the curfew will be on Wednesday, June 29. The government has recently merged containment zones and the buffer zones surrounding them to form ‘broad-based’ containment zones. The total number of such zones in the state is 739 now.
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25,000 RT-PCR Tests To Be Conducted Every Day
The government is preparing to set up COVID-19 units in the state-run and private hospitals to cater to the increasing number of cases. Also, more Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test kits might be procured to carry out at least 25,000 tests every day. In the West Bengal Government portal, the authorities have uploaded several conversational videos to spread awareness of COVID-19. In one of the videos, a doctor can be heard suggesting a patient with mild symptoms to purchase an oximeter to measure oxygen level at home. The website also has 24/7 helpline numbers and state control room number for reporting queries.
Also Read: Kolkata’s Immunity Sandesh Is Made With 15 Herbs
With nearly 1.16 million cases, India is now one of the worst affected countries by the coronavirus. Thus, it’s best to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to step out. On that note, here’s an amazing virtual tour to the city of joy, Kolkata: