Bengal extends lockdown for 2 weeks

The West Bengal government has extended the Covid-19 induced lockdown in the state by two weeks, until July 1 but announced several relaxations to the curbs imposed to stem the spike in coronavirus cases, which was seen following the eight-phase general assembly elections. West Bengal is among the states which were hit severely by the onset of the second Covid wave. The state witnessed its per-day count peaking to above 20,000 in May. However, over the past few days, the cases have decelerated. The active caseload has dropped to 17,651. As per the fresh guidelines released by the state government, public transport will continue to be off the roads. The movement of private vehicles, taxis and auto-rickshaws, too, remains prohibited unless they are on their way to hospitals. Restrictions on transport services continue. No public movement, other than those associated with emergency services, would be allowed between 9 pm and 6 am.