West Bengal: Strict bi-weekly Covid-induced lockdown enforced

Helped by intermittent rains, second day of bi-weekly lockdown across West Bengal on Friday kept people indoor and shut most of commercial establishments, amidst stray incidents of violation of restrictions.

However, two-day lockdown appeared to have made little impact on rise of COVID-19 cases as state reported yet ar record surge of 3245 fresh patients on a single day.

Friday is seventh consecutive day that state has witnessed a rise of 3000 plus cases per day.

A total of 2725 people were arrested from across state, including 783 in Kolkata, on charge of violation of lockdown guidelines and safety measures.

48 hours complete lockdown which began on Thursday is part of state government's plan to implement shutdowns every week since July 23 to break chain of COVID-19 infection amid reports of community transmission in some parts of state.

Incessant overnight rains owing to a low-pressure system since Thursday also forced people to stay at home in city and majority of or places in south Bengal.

All public transport, government and private offices, banks and or commercial establishments, barring those dealing with essential services, were closed due to lockdown.

Flight operations in and out of Kolkata international airport were suspended for day, while long- distance trains were rescheduled.

Essential services like medicine shops and health establishments remained open as se were kept out of purview of complete shutdown.

Petrol pumps have been allowed to operate on lockdown days.

Security was tightened to enforce lockdown and police personnel were seen patrolling major traffic intersections in Kolkata.

Violation of shutdown rms was, however, witnessed in some towns such as Canning, Cooch Behar, Malda and Durgapur as some shops in se areas were seen open in morning.

In several district towns, police personnel were seen checking papers of vehicles that were out on streets despite restrictions.

Barricades were put up in various parts of state, officials said.

Special police teams were seen patrolling various parts of city, especially containment zones.

In several places, police were seen punishing lockdown violators by making m do squats and frog jumps.

police also resorted to lathicharge in some areas to disperse violators.

"A total of 1942 people were arrested. overall situation was peaceful," a senior official of West Bengal police said.

A total shutdown was earlier imposed in West Bengal on July 23, 25 and 29 and August 5 and 8.

re will be a complete lockdown again on August 27 and 31.

West Bengal's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 1,32,364 on Friday with highest single-day spike of 3,245 infections, state's health department said.

death toll in state rose to 2,689 after 55 people succumbed to virus.

Meanwhile, over one lakh people have recovered from COVID-19 in West Bengal after 3,082 patients recovered from disease on Friday, according to a bulletin released by state health department.