Kolkata, Aug 03 (UNI) The West Bengal Government on Monday changed the dates of statewide complete lockdown for the month of August to break the Covid-19 pandemic chain even as the toll rose to 1731 with 53 more deaths, the highest so far on a single day, and the confirmed cases touched 78,232 with 2716 new cases.
Today's change was for the third time as the dates were already changed twice earlier.
The decision of bi-weekly lockdown was taken following spike in Coronavirus cases since the past two weeks of July.
The revised dates for the complete lockdown in Bengal are:
August 5 (Wednesday)
August 8 (Saturday)
August 20 (Thursday)
August 21 (Friday)
August 27 (Thursday)
August 28 (Friday)
August 31 (Monday).
The decision was taken as the State Government received several requests and appeals from different quarters to relax complete lockdown on certain dates, which are coinciding with some festivals and local community-based customs.
The earlier lockdown dates were August 5 (Wednesday), August 8 (Saturday), August 16 (Sunday), August 17 (Monday), August 23 (Sunday), August 24 (Monday) and August 31 (Monday).
Earlier on July 30, in an order, the authorities said, " The State Government vide Order No. 285-CS/2020 dated 30.07.2020 notified statewide complete lockdown on Wednesday 5 August, Saturday 8 August, Sunday 16 August, Monday 17 August, Sunday 23 August, Monday 24 August and Monday 31 August. '
In today's order, the State Government said, 'Several requests and appeals have been received from different quarters to relax complete lockdown on certain dates which are coinciding with some festivals and local community-based customs.
' Now, in view of the requests received and due consideration of the public sentiment, in partial modification of aforesaid order, it is hereby informed that the statewide complete lockdown shall now be observed on the following days : Wednesday - August 05, Thursday - August 20, Friday - August 21, Thursday - August 27, Friday - August 28 and Monday - August 31.'
' It is further reiterated that all restrictions and guidelines as notified earlier videOrder No. 285-CS/2020 dated 30.07.2020 shall apply,' it added.
According to the latest State Government Health Bulletin, the count of discharged accounted for 54,818 with 2088 recovering in the past 24 hours.
The discharge rate in the state increased to 70.07 per cent.
The count of active cases stood at 21,683.
Total number of samples tested accounted for 9,56,959 with 22,122 tested on Monday.
Meanwhile, Veteran CPI(M) leader and former MP Mohammed Salim today tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a tweet, he said, "I have tested positive for Coronavirus with very mild symptoms but I got myself admitted into a hospital as per the advice of my attending doctor."
"This decision also aims at avoiding all kinds of risks of infection amongst my friends, family and neighbours," he added.
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