In a letter to Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, BP Gopalika, Additional Chief Secretary, Home & Hill Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal said flights from Mumbai and Delhi will be allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from January 5.
The letter said that while the state government is extremely sensitive towards the inconvenience that may be caused to passengers, the restrictions are absolutely essential to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The situation will be reviewed depending on the pandemic situation in these states, the letter added.
With more than a 14-fold rise in Covid cases in barely a few days, the Bengal government has reimposed several restrictions till January 15.
COVID-19 restrictions in West Bengal from January 3, 2021
1. All academic activities in schools, colleges, and universities shall remain closed.2. All government & private offices shall function with 50% of employees.3. Swimming pools, spas, gyms, beauty parlors, salons and wellness centers shall remain closed.4. All entertainment parks, zoos, tourist places shall remain closed.5. Shopping malls and market complexes may function with 50 % of the capacity under strict safety protocols till 10pm. 6. Restaurants and bars, cinema halls & theatres may operate till 10pm with 50% of capacity.7. Meetings and conferences shall be allowed with a maximum of 200 people at a time or 50% seating capacity of the hall, whichever is lower.8. Not more than 50 persons at a time shall be allowed for any social, religious, and cultural gatherings.9. Not more than 20 persons shall be allowed for funeral/ burial services and last rites.10. Local trains shall operate with 50% seating capacity up to 7 PM only.11. Metro services shall operate with 50% seating capacity as per usual operational time.12. Movement of people and vehicles and public gatherings of any kind shall be prohibited between 10 PM to 5 AM. Only essential and emergency services shall be permitted.13. Incoming international flights will be restricted as per earlier notification. 14. Incoming domestic flights from Mumbai / Delhi will be restricted except Mondays & Fridays.
PhotoCredit: The Hindustan Times