This is an archive article published on August 26, 2020
West Bengal announces new lockdown dates, flight services from Covid-19 hotspot states to resume
West Bengal Lockdown Guidelines: Mamata Banerjee also said flights operations would resume from six Covid-19 hotspot states but extended the closure of educational institutes till September 20.
Written by Atri Mitra
Kolkata | Updated: August 28, 2020 11:08 AM IST
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Bengal government announced fresh dates for complete shutdown in the state.
West Bengal Lockdown Guidelines: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the bi-weekly complete lockdown in the state would would be observed on September 7, 11 and 12. Banerjee also said flights operations would resume from six Covid-19 hotspot states but extended the closure of educational institutes till September 20.
Addressing a press conference following a Cabinet meeting, Banerjee said, “In many places in our state, the Covid situation is improving but in many places it is deteriorating also. So, we are not taking any risk and will continue the lockdown for another twenty days. After that, we will further intimate whether the lockdown will be continued or not. There would be complete lockdown in the state on September 7, 11 and 12.”
During the lockdown, all government and private offices, commercial establishments, public and private transport will remain closed. Only movement related to health services, pharmacies, police stations, courts, correctional services, fire and emergency services, electricity, water and other utility services will be allowed.
Banerjee also said flights operations from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad would resume from September 1. “We have received several requests to resume flight operations from six COVID hotspot states. So from September 1, flight services from these six states can resume thrice a week,” she said.
In the wake of a spike in Covid-19 cases, the Bengal government had imposed a ban till August 31 on passenger flights to Kolkata from these cities.
“Schools, colleges and other educational institutes would remain closed in the state till September 20. The other existing restrictions would be in place,” she said. She also said the government was ready to allow metro services to resume from September 1 by maintaining social distancing norms.
Banerjee also demanded that the Centre distribute money from PM CARES fund to states to tackle the Covid-19
pandemic.
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This month, the government changed the statewide lockdown dates four times in a fortnight, triggering criticism from opposition parties. West Bengal has so far reported 1,44,801 cases, including 2,909 deaths.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
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