No More Lockdown In West Bengal: Religious Places, Offices To Reopen From June

Kolkata: Just two days before the end of the fourth phase of lockdown, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced that there will be no more lockdown in the state from June.

All the places of worship will reopen for the devotees from June 1. However, only 10 people at a time will be allowed to enter the shrines as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chief Minister, as quoted by ANI said, “Temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches will open from June 1, but not more than 10 people will be allowed inside at a time. There will be no assembly at religious places.”

Besides religious places, public and private offices will also become functional in the state from June 8. “All private, public sector and government offices will open from June 8, while tea and jute industries will become 100 per cent operational from June 1,” said Mamata.

Justifying her decision to relax lockdown restrictions, Mamata said if Shramik trains can run amid lockdown, then religious places too can reopen.

The Chief Minister attacked the Central government for mismanagement in transporting migrant labourers in Shramik trains. “The trains are overcrowded with migrants while the social distancing norm is flouted. Basic needs like food and water of the passengers are ignored. What are they trying to do? Are they running Shramik trains or Corona Express?,” she said.

Corona cases are increasing in the state because of the influx of Shramik train returnees, she alleged.