Coronavirus: Mamata Banerjee announces complete lockdown in Bengal till March end

In wake of coronavirus pandemic, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday anunced that state has been put under complete lockdown from 5 pm on March 24 to March 31. She informed of her decision at a press conference at Nabanna. Bengal has so far reported nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 while one patient has died.

"After assessing situation, it has been decided that ongoing lockdown will be extended to entire state from 5 pm today," Banerjee said.

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Unemployment benefit

Chief Minister said that a 'Procheshta Scheme' has also been launched under which people who have lost ir income will get Rs 1,000. people who wish to get assistance under scheme will need to apply from April 15 to April 30. " government will be giving free ration to poor for next six months," Banerjee said.

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Mamata Banerjee also asked people to maintain distance between each or in public places like outside grocery shops and banks to avoid chances of contraction to Coronavirus. She also appealed to print media to distribute newspapers to hawkers from ir vehicle itself and "t keep piles of newspapers on ro." CM reiterated her call for social distancing and asked people to voluntarily sign up for testing should y have a recent travel history abro.

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On Tuesday, two more people with a recent history of foreign travel tested positive for coronavirus in Bengal, taking number of such cases in state to nine, a state health official said. Of two, one h returned from Britain and ar man from Egypt. y have been kept in isolation ward of Beliaghata Infectious Diseases hospital, he said.

first medical examination conducted on m showed y were infected with  virus. ir samples have been sent for a second test and results are awaited. Besides se nine cases, a 57-year-old man from Dumdum h died from coronavirus.

(With ncy inputs) 

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