The government of the Indian state of West Bengal has announced a partial lockdown to bring skyrocketing numbers of Covid-19 cases under control.
Markets will be allowed to stay open for a total of five hours each day during the lockdown, from 7-10am and 3-5pm, reports NDTV.
Shopping complexes, beauty parlours, cinema halls, sports facilities and spas must remain closed, as do restaurants, bars, gyms, and swimming pools. Delivery and online services will be allowed, while pharmacies, shops selling medical equipment and grocery stores are exempted from the restrictions.
All kinds of gatherings, whether for social, cultural, entertainment, or academic purposes, have been banned.
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Counting for the eight-phase Assembly elections will take place on May 2, and all Covid-19 related health rules must be followed during the counting.
West Bengal recorded 17,403 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, the highest number of new cases recorded on a single day in the state during the pandemic. The highest number of deaths on a single day in the state was recorded the same day at 89.
India on Friday reported its highest-ever 3,498 deaths in 24 hours. The country also recorded 386,442 new Covid-19 cases.
The surging number of Covid-19 cases in the state coincide with massive election rallies by the BJP and Trinamool Congress. The High Court of Madras recently summoned the Election Commission over its failure to enforce health rules during the rallies.
