West Bengal went into lockdown in March 2020 due to the pandemic and now, after two years the government has decided to do away with most of the COVID-19 restrictions.
On Thursday, West Bengal government announced withdrawal of most of the restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the use of face masks are to continue. As the state saw a steady decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, the new guideline was introduced. Though government had officially withdrawn the restrictions, it has encouraged the citizens to keep following the hygiene protocols.
The notification which announced the new guideline also stated, “advisory in respect of health and hygiene protocols including wearing of masks at all times, hand hygiene and sanitisation of public places shall continue to be strictly observed until further order”.
The notification further read employers, management bodies, owners, supervisors of all offices, establishments and workplaces would be responsible for the maintaining of all the Covid-19 safety protocols which includes regular sanitisation of workplaces and Covid-19 appropriate norms.
In March 2020, due to the gradual rise in number of COVID-19 cases in the country, West Bengal had also went into lockdown after the initial cases were detected in the state. Now after two years of imposition of the first lockdown, the government has announced lifting of most of the compulsory protocols except the use of masks.
Lifting restrictions in Maharashtra and Delhi
Similar actions of lifting restrictions were also announced in Maharashtra and Delhi on Thursday. Until Thursday, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) used to charge a fine of rupees 500 when caught not wearing masks in public places. The DDMA from March 31 onwards, will not fine anyone further for not wearing face masks in public places.
Published By: Apoorva Wakodikar
Edited By: Subbuthai Padma
