West Bengal govt extends lockdown in containment zones till 31 Aug; theatres, educational institutes to stay shut

Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Thursday said the lockdown in containment zones in the state will be extended till 31 August. Earlier, the state had said the shutdown in containment zones will be in force till 31 July. There will be a complete lockdown across the state on 5, 8, 16-17, 23-24, and 31 August as announced earlier, a notification issued by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said. Educational centres, coaching institutes, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums and assembly halls will remain closed till 31 August, it said. During the complete lockdown days in August, all government and private offices, commercial establishments, public and private transport, including flight services, will be cease to operate, the notification said. Essential services including healthcare, agriculture operations and home delivery of food, have been exempted on such days. However, gyms and yoga institutes outside containment zones will be allowed to function from 5 August, barring the total lockdown days, the notification added.