West Bengal Mini Lockdown: Metro Railway, Kolkata is going to temporarily suspend the issuance of tokens from 03.01. 2022 (Monday) till further notice in order to operate with 50% capacity as per usual operational time.
Kolkata: In a bid to contain the spread of ‘highly transmissible’ Omicron variant of coronavirus, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government reimposed lockdown-like curbs capping the number of passengers in metros, shutting all educational institutions, restricting flights from Delhi and Mumbai besides asking all offices to operate with a half their workforce.
“In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, West Bengal government has notified certain restrictions and relaxations in terms of the provision under Disaster Management Act 2005. Accordingly, Metro Railway, Kolkata is going to temporarily suspend the issuance of tokens from 03.01. 2022 (Monday) till further notice in order to operate with 50% capacity as per usual operational time. Only smart cards will be issued from Metro counters. Smart cardholders will only be able to travel in the Metro. They will also be able to recharge their cards like before”, the press release issued by Metro Railway, Kolkata read.
Kolkata Metro: New Restrictions Commuters Must Know
- Smart cardholders will only be able to travel in the Metro.
- The issuance of tokens will remain suspended.
- Metros will operate with 50% capacity as per usual operational time.
- Local trains will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity till 7 pm.
- Only smart cards will be issued from Metro counters.
- Long-distance trains will operate as per their usual schedule.
West Bengal, which witnessed a sudden spurt in Covid-19 cases with a near 12-fold rise in the last seven days, on Sunday reported 6,153 new infections, 1,641 more than the previous day, with Kolkata accounting for 3,194 new cases, a health bulletin released by the state government said.
Here’s the list of restrictions imposed by the West Bengal government:
- All schools, colleges, universities, spas, salons, beauty parlours, zoos, and entertainment parks to be closed in the state from January 3.
- All government and private offices to operate at 50% capacity, all administrative meetings to be conducted via virtual mode, Dwivedi added. Work from home will be encouraged as much as possible.
- Kolkata Metro services will also be capped at 50 per cent capacity and local trains can run only till 7 pm. Long-distance trains, however, will be allowed to run normally.
- Cinema halls, restaurants, and bars can function at 50 per cent capacity and up to 10 pm. Shopping malls can stay open from 10 am to 5 pm, but crowds must be at 50 per cent.
- Attendance at gatherings for marriages and other social, religious, and cultural occasions will be limited to 50 persons, while those for funerals or burials will be limited to 20.
