New Delhi: Relaxing the Covid-19 guidelines in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government on Saturday permitted marriage-related functions with a maximum of 200 people at a time or 50 percent seating capacity of the hall/venue, whichever is lower.
The state government also allowed the fairs in open-air venues in a very restricted manner following all Covid-19 protocols.
The state government said the restrictions, relaxation measures and advisory as already in force under the Disaster Management Act read with West Bengal Epidemic Disease, Covid-19 Regulations 2020, stand extended up to January 31, 2022, ANI reported.
This comes after the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) deferred the elections to four municipal corporations -- Asansol, Siliguri, Chandannagar and Bidhannagar -- to February 12 in view of the Covid-19 situation in the state.
The elections in these four municipal corporations were slated to be held on January 22.
Earlier on Friday, the state recorded 22,645 new Covid-19 cases, which pushed the tally to over 18 lakh.
Twenty-eight more Covid-related deaths were reported in West Bengal -- the highest since the pandemic third wave struck in December last year -- with the toll climbing to 20,013, the bulletin stated.
Of the 28 fatalities, eight were reported in North 24 Parganas, PTI reported.
West Bengal capital Kolkata recorded 6,867 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, while 4,018 cases were reported from North Parganas.
The positivity rate, as per the state health department, dipped to 31.14 percent, while the fatality rate stood at 1.07 percent.