West Bengal has been witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases over the past week. 439 COVID-19 cases were reported on December 27, the number jumped to 6,513 on Sunday. Kolkata’s weekly (December 24-31) positivity rate was 23.4%, as per Health ministry data.
However, with 6,078 new cases, the state witnessed a slight dip in daily cases on Monday. On Christmas, pictures and videos surfaced on social media that showed a complete violation of COVID protocols as the crowd of people left no space to breathe on Park Street.
Thousands of People welcomed Omicron Corona 3rd Wave by gathering at Park Street, Kolkata to celebrate Christmas #kolkata #Omicron #COVIDIOTS pic.twitter.com/nGrl4mj4CC
— Rosy (@rose_k01) December 25, 2021
Christmas celebrations at Park Street, Kolkata
Covid where? #COVID19 #Christmas2021 pic.twitter.com/rMUUZD5Dsu
— Addy (@Barca_addy) December 25, 2021
Total 6,153 New #Covid_19 cases found in West Bengal today on 2nd January. A week ago a picture from Revellers Throng Park Street, Kolkata on Christmas evening.
Pic: The Telegraph #COVID19 #OmicronInIndia #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/OG6FHbBk9M
— shwin Satyadev (@ashwinsatyadev) January 2, 2022
Bengal announces fresh curbs to tackle the COVID situation
- In view of rising COVID-19 cases, the West Bengal government on Sunday decided to shut down schools and other educational institutes, spas, salons, beauty parlours, zoos, and entertainment parks from January 3.
- The government directed all government and private offices to operate at 50 per cent capacity.
- The government also informed that the flights from Delhi and Mumbai to West Bengal will function only twice a week from January 5.
- Meanwhile, the local trains will run at 50 per cent capacity, and the service will be closed after 10 pm every day. Metro Rail will also operate with 50 per cent passengers, and so will restaurants and bars, according to government instructions. Cinema halls have also been told to operate with 50 per cent seat occupancy and they will have to close after 10 pm.