Kolkata: The Bengal government on Thursday extended Covid restrictions until August 30 but allowed the easing of the norm.
The evening limitation on the movement and remaining out has been pushed to 11:00 instead of 9:00 applicable, while the swimming pool and auditorium will be permitted to function at a capacity of 50%.
However, Minister of Mamata Banerjee, stressed that local trains would not be allowed to run until “50% of the rural population” vaccinated against Covid.
These steps were first announced on May 16, and extended regularly, will end on August 15.
New rules will take effect from August 16.
“The Covid situation in Bengal is quite good but the dangers of the third wave hid,” said Banerjee, added, “This is one reason why we don’t allow the local train.
We plan to speed up drive vaccination on the outskirts of Kolkata, if we get enough vaccines.
We Will not run local trains unless we can vaccinate 50% of the rural population.
“Official notifications for extension limits were not issued until the end of Thursday.
But relaxation of two hours of night limitation has made the hotel industry and restaurants hoping for possible extra time beyond 8:00.
Most of the leading restaurants feel this can be a big boost for the F & B industry.
“We vigorously saw the relaxation of timings so we regained a crowd of dinner,” said Hotel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India President Sudesh Poddar.
The minister’s chairman also complained that the state did not get the number of vaccines needed.
“If we get a vaccine, we can at least ensure a vaccine dose for the rural population and then allow local trains,” he said.
Banerjee also announced that the government had decided to release 73 inmates of life in an effort to promise imprisonment because of a pandemic.
“On August 2, we have announced to release prisoners for 63 inmates on humanitarian land.
Today, we have decided to release 73 more,” he said.