The West Bengal government on Sunday ordered a lockdown in view of the rising threat of a coronavirus outbreak.
The lockdown will be come into effect from 17:00 hrs (5 pm) March 23 to the midnight of March 27.
The lockdown will see suspension of all public transport, close-down of commercial establishments, shops and offices. Most factories and godowns have been asked to close down and suspend operations for the time being.
However, essential services such as pharmacies, medical shops, market places (selling groceries, food items, etc), petrol pumps will remain open. E-commerce of groceries and home delivery of food will continue.
This apart, the State government has also banned “congregation of more than seven persons” across public places of the State.
“The Government of West Bengal in exercise of powers conferred under sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 has framed the West Bengal Epidemic Disease Covid-19 Regulations 2020 for prevention and containment of coronavirus disease 2019,” an order of the State government said.
“West Bengal hereby notifies complete safety restrictions from 1700 hrs of March 23 to midnight of March 27,” it further added.
Any person found violating the new regulations shall be punishable punished under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobedience of an order, which includes imprisonment or fine or both).
The move comes a day after the a fourth Covid-19 positive patient was reported here in the State.