West Bengal to issue notification on modalities of lockdown4.0 Monday evening
The Centre on Sunday extended the coronavirus lockdownfor two more weeks till May 31, with the fourth phaseproviding more relaxations outside the containment zones including inter-state movement of buses with mutual consent ofstates that is expected to be of immediate relief for thousands of migrant workers on the roads.
"The MHA in its order has given some relaxations. But,there are chances of further easing of curbs in non-containment zones in the state government's notification. By this evening, the notification will be issued," the senior West Bengal government official said.
Standalone shops in non-containment and green zonesare likely to remain open from 7 am to 6 pm, he said, adding,the zones under containment are expected to be divided intosegments based on high and low levels of infection.
Nothing, however, has been finalised yet, the officialsaid.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday night said thefresh guidelines for the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown were issued after taking the views of the state governments following a video conference held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the chief ministers on May 11.
The state government had already announced steps toresume the 100-day work programme in non-containment areas of rural Bengal.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last week saidareas under red zones would soon be given more relaxations.
District magistrates, along with senior police personnel, will take a call on reopening of shops and availability of services in red zones, she had said.
Till Sunday, West Bengal recorded 166 deaths due toCOVID-19 and a total of 2,677 confirmed cases. PNT RBT AQSAQS