Eateries, malls to open as Covid-19 numbers fall

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the slow lifting of Covid-induced restrictions and unveiled plans to allow the opening of restaurants, shopping malls and extending the time for retail shops to remain open as Covid-19 figures showed a downward trend although there was a spike of 8,000 cases on Wednesday.

“With the reduced number of Covid cases and the infection rate coming down, restaurants can be opened in Bengal between 5pm and 8pm after the vaccination of its employees. Shopping malls, allowing 25% people, will be opened after June 15,” Mamata Banerjee said, while speaking with industrial heads and members from various chambers of commerce at the state secretariat Nabanna. Retail shops will now be open from 12-4pm –– an extension of an hour.

As part of a slow unlock process, the chief minister had, last week, allowed 10% attendance of IT professionals at offices. The government has started vaccination for hawkers, drivers and vendors as they can be super spreaders.