West Bengal Lockdown: Mamata Govt Eases Covid Restrictions, Usage of Mask To Continue In Public Places

Restrictions currently in force are hereby withdrawn. Advisory in respect of health & hygiene protocols including wearing of mask at all times, hand hygiene & sanitisation of public places shall continue to be strictly observed until further orders: Govt of West Bengal

Kolkata: As the Covid third wave ebbs in West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal government on Thursday withdrew all the covid restrictions which were in force in the state. “Advisory in respect of health & hygiene protocols including wearing of the mask at all times, hand hygiene and sanitisation of public places shall continue to be strictly observed until further orders,” the government order reads.

“Accordingly, it is hereby notified that restrictions as currently in force by aforesaid orders are hereby withdrawn. However, 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,” it further added.

The state had earlier mentioned that they had conducted a review of the of situation of Covid-19 pandemic in the state and the State Executive Committee of West Bengal State Disaster Management Authority recommended to continue with existing restrictions and relaxations already in force till March 31.

Face masks to be no more mandatory in Delhi, Maharashtra

With the COVID-19 cases declining significantly over the past few weeks, several states have decided to lift all the pandemic-related restrictions, including the mandatory wearing of face masks.

Maharashtra, one of the worst-hit states, and West Bengal on Thursday announced that all curbs related to the viral disease would be lifted, while Delhi decided to do away with the mandatory wearing of face masks at public places.

The withdrawal of the COVID-19 curbs came almost two years after the pandemic struck in March 2020. It is expected that some other states may follow suit in the coming days.

At a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) chaired by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, it was decided that there will be no fine for not wearing face masks at public places in the national capital, officials said.

They added that the DDMA, however, is likely to issue an advisory for people, asking them to use masks at crowded places. Currently, there is a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing masks at public places in Delhi.