The Governments of West Bengal and Mizoram today, i.e., Monday, June 8, 2020 have announced to extend the lockdown till June 30, 2020, in the wake of increasing number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
The announcement came as religious places, shopping malls and restaurants were opened today, under the Phase – Unlock 1.0. These places have been closed for more than 2 months since March 25, 2020, where Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi announced the first phase of lockdown.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister of West Bengal – Mamata Banerjee said, “The lockdown is being extended in the state till June 30, with all existing relaxations and conditions still in place. Earlier, we had allowed only 10 people at social programmes such as a marriage or a funeral ceremony, now we have increased it to 25.”
The total number of cases in West Bengal are 7,728 and there have been 383 casualties. During the day, a large number of people flooded the streets of West Bengal, flouting the norms of social distancing. While Government offices operated with 70% attendance, private offices operated with almost full attendance. Traffic snarls were also reported from several areas of the metropolis.
The Mamata Banerjee-led government had already eased curbs from June 1, 2020, allowing places of worship to reopen and full operationalisation of the jute, tea and construction sectors.
Besides, in Mizoram, the decision of complete lockdown was taken in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases. The total number of cases today surged to 42. A day before, there were 34 cases. Of them, only one person has recovered from the virus and 41 are currently getting treatment.
Announcing the lockdown in Mizoram, the Chief Minister – Zoramthanga tweeted, “Currently in a consultative meeting on Covid-19 with representatives from Member of Legislatures, Govt. Officials, Non-Govt. Hospital Assn, Church Leaders, Village and Local Councils members, Taskforces, NGO’s to discuss the State’s way forward. #Mizoram #MizoramagainstCovid19.”
The Mizoram CM consulted members of the legislature, Government officials, Non-Government hospital associations, church leaders, village and local council members, taskforces and NGOs before taking the decision.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor – Anil Baijal has overruled the decision of Chief Minister of Delhi – Arvind Kejriwal who had announced to restrict people of other States from getting COVID-19 treatment at Delhi Government-run hospitals.
Replying to Anil Baijal’s order, Kejriwal tweeted, “LG साहिब के आदेश ने दिल्ली के लोगों के लिए बहुत बड़ी समस्या और चुनौती पैदा कर दी है | देशभर से आने वाले लोगों के लिए करोना महामारी के दौरान इलाज का इंतज़ाम करना बड़ी चुनौती है।शायद भगवान की मर्ज़ी है कि हम पूरे देश के लोगों की सेवा करें।हम सबके इलाज का इंतज़ाम करने की कोशिश करेंगें |”
As of now, there are 28,936 cases in Delhi and there have been 812 casualties. Delhi is the third most affected place in India.
Also, Arvind Kejriwal has gone into self-isolation after having fever and sore throat. He will be undergoing COVID-19 test tomorrow morning.
In other developments, India reported 9,983 fresh cases and 287 casualties today. Maharashtra, the worst hit State reported 2,553 fresh cases and 109 casualties. The total tally of cases in the State is 88,528 and there have been 3,169 casualties. Tamil Nadu is the second most affected State with 33,229 cases and 286 casualties. During the day, the State reported 1,562 fresh cases.
As per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), there are 2,60,093 cases and there have been 7,200 casualties.
