Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Monday, April 19, said summer vacation in schools will begin from as early as Tuesday in view of rising COVID-19 cases in the state. The summer break usually starts from the first week of May.
On the same day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people not to panic over the worsening COVID-19 situation as the state government is taking “every possible measure” to check the spread of the disease.
Addressing a press meet here, the Trinamool Congress chief stressed that night curfew may not be a solution in Bengal, where the “political pollution” needs to be checked first.
Bengal is in the midst of an eight-phase assembly election, which has seen pitched campaigns by TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Listing out the steps taken by the state government to tackle the situation, such as increase in the number of COVID beds in hospitals, she requested all offices to make do with 50% workforce for now.
“I would urge everyone not to panic. We have formed a task force to tackle the COVID-19 surge. We have increased the number of beds, safe homes,” she stated.
CM reaches out to PM for help with medicines, vaccine
Banerjee also said she has sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for additional vaccines and medicines in the wake of spiralling COVID-19 cases in the state.
With the massive surge in #COVID19 cases across India, GoWB is taking all necessary steps to protect its people. I’ve reached out the PM to help us with additional medicines and vaccines required. (1/2)
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 19, 2021
“I have also directed all the top officials to make elaborate arrangements & step up their efforts at every level to deal with #COVID19 situation in WB,” she added.
Banerjee had on Sunday said TMC would organise small meetings in Kolkata and she would give short speeches in rallies in districts where polling would be held in the remaining three phases, keeping in mind the coronavirus situation.
Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien tweeted, “Mamata Banerjee will NOT campaign in Kolkata anymore. Only one ‘symbolic’ meeting on the last day of campaigning in the city on April 26. Slashes time for all her election rallies in all districts. Restricted to just 30 minutes.”
West Bengal on Sunday registered its highest single day spike of 8,419 fresh cases and at least 28 fatalities.
(With PTI inputs)