Restrictions in Bengal were currently in place from 15 May to 30 May.

The pandemic situation in Bengal eased a little because of existing restrictions, CM Banerjee said. She also said that the Covid-19 numbers in the state were declining and, for the economy’s sake, she was not announcing a “total lockdown”.

What’s allowed and what’s not in Bengal:

1) All offices and educational institutions will be shut, as well as transport services, including the metro. Petrol pumps and banks will operate from 10 am to 2 pm.

2) All emergency services will be allowed, as will home deliveries and other online services.

3) Grocery stores and shops selling essential items will stay open between 7 and 10 am. Shops selling sweets, including traditional Bengali sweetmeats, can open from 10 am to 5 pm.

4) Industries will be closed but tea gardens can function, although at 50% strength only.

5) No cultural, political, academic, administrative or religious events and functions will be allowed during this period. No outdoor congregations will be permitted between 9 pm and 5 am.

6) A maximum of 50 guests are allowed at weddings.

7) Shopping complexes, beauty parlours, cinema halls, sports facilities and restaurants were shut indefinitely on 1 May.

What will remain closed

• All private offices, schools, colleges will remain closed.
• Local trains, metro services, inter state bus/train services, inland waterways to remain closed.
• All political, cultural and religious assemblies banned. All industries apart from essential commodities and Covid related products will be restricted.
• Intra-state goods trucks movement restricted except for essential supplies.
• Private cars, taxi ..
  Bengal Class 10, 12 board exams

CM Banerjee said that the state will hold the Class 12 board examinations in the last week of July, while the tests for Class 10 will take place in mid-August.

The dates will be announced later by the respective boards, she added.

“We have decided to hold the secondary (Madhyamik) and higher secondary (Uccho Madhyamik) examinations… adhering to all COVID-19 safety protocols,” Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.

Meanwhile, West Bengal logged 16,225 fresh Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, raising the tally to 13,18,203, a health department bulletin said.