KOLKATA: Several state government departments are awaiting instruction from the top on the future of Covid restrictions from Friday. The Centre has already written to the chief secretary to discontinue the issue of orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Bureaucrats said the state would have to issue fresh rules if it wishes to continue with the current restrictions. Most feel that given the favourable Covid situation, it makes sense to revert to pre-Covid normalcy after two years of restrictions. The state government may issue a fresh notification on Thursday to clear its position.
Members of the state-appointed global advisory board are, however, against total relaxation of restrictions. “It is too premature to lower all guard and do away with all restrictions. Some critical restrictions should be in force till June end-July beginning, apart from continuous impetus on test, track and treat. The Covid protocols like masking, safe physical distance and hand hygiene should also continue,” said a board member.
But public health experts felt it was impractical to keep the city in shackles for so long. "There are hardly any new Covid-positive patients. Even those who are tested positive don’t suffer complications. One should continue to wear a mask and sanitise hands. But normal life should resume. If there is a sudden spike or advent of new variants, then restrictions can be reimposed,” said a health official.
Currently, there are two major curbs in the state — night restriction from midnight to 5am and assembly of people up to 75% of the capacity of a venue. These restrictions are valid till Thursday.
While people inquiring on the possibility of resumption of the city’s nightlife may need to wait a day, much of the restrictions on the ground have already eased with police not being too strict about night-time movement of people and late-evening hangouts. The formal withdrawal of night restrictions will bring huge relief to commuters travelling home post-midnight, especially patrons of hotels and restaurants and staffers of the service industry as well as the transport sector.
“If the state does not extend the curbs, there will be no more cases under the DM Act,” said an officer. However, the force can invoke the Calcutta Police Act to carry out action against those not wearing masks. For Kolkata Police, which has issued more than 6 lakh prosecutions for night violations, the break in midnight policing will offer them a chance to deploy forces elsewhere.
Malls and multiplexes are looking forward to a return to business as usual from Friday. "The maximum difference will be felt in multiplexes and food courts where one in four seats are currently unoccupied to meet the norms. Also, if the night restriction goes, multiplexes can add more shows," said an official of South City Mall, adding that they expect a 10% jump in revenue.
Several Kolkatans said that if the restrictions do lapse, it will allow them all the time to finish social engagements and business and return home. “When we met at a pub, we kept checking our watches, each strategizing when to leave so as to avoid the police nakas. At least, we can all leave at the same time now,” said Sidharth Awasthi, a resident of Anandapur.
“Each time we finished our work at weddings, we had to cross police nakas and explain to them that we work as catering staff. Some cops let us go, others demanded more proof. It will be a relief now,” said Partha Saha, who works as a manager with a catering service from south Kolkata.
