Flights to resume in Bengal from six COVID-19 hotspot states thrice a week from 1 Sept, says Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced a series of relaxations by allowing to resume flights operations from six COVID hotspot states, but extended the closure of educational institutes till 20 September. Announcing complete lockdown across West Bengal on 7, 11 and 12 September, Mamata said Metro Railway can resume services by observing social distancing and other precautionary norms. “We have received several requests to resume flight operations from six COVID hotspot states. So from 1 September, flight services from these six states can resume thrice a week,” she said after a Cabinet meeting. To combat the spread of coronavirus, the state government had imposed a ban till 31 August on passenger flights to Kolkata from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad. “Schools, colleges and other educational institutes would remain closed in the state till 20 September. The other existing restrictions would be in place. There would be complete lockdown in the state on September 7, 11 and 12,” she said. She also demanded that the Centre distribute money from PM CARES fund to states to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.