n employee of Kolkata zoo sprays sanitizers at the entrance as a precaution against COVID-19 as a supervisor, left, gestures in Kolkata | Photo Credit: AP

Key Highlights Second COVID-19 case confirmed in West Bengal Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s has call for ‘Janta curfew’ on March 22

Kolkata: In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced that rice distributed via Public Distribution System (PDS) for Rs 2 per kg will be available free for the next six months.

Additionally, the state government has also issued directives to shut down all malls except departmental stores inside them. Also, all food stores will remain operational across the state.

Taking slew of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, the Trinamool Congress supremo said that Bengal government was creating a state emergency relief fund to collect aid from those who wish to donate.

Mamata Banerjee also appealed to all religious leaders and institutions to abstain from mass gatherings in view of the deadly outbreak.

“I appeal to all religious leaders and institutions to stop mass gathering. This is not a political battle, but a war against a disease,” she said.

The state government officials have been directed to work on a rotation basis. The Bengal Chief Minister urged the private sector to adopt a similar strategy and order its employees to work according to alternate roster.

Banerjee requested the Centre to immediately send more medical kits to West Bengal in order to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

West Bengal has recorded two positive coronavirus cases so far. Notably, both the COVID-19 infected persons had returned from England recently.

Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Janta Curfew’, she said the central government’s decision was welcome, but it should do more to tackle the coronavirus threat.

Taking a veiled attack on PM Modi’s ‘Ghar Bandi Raho’ call, the West Bengal Chief Minister said the PM is appealing to the public to stay indoors and work from home as much as possible, but at the same time the government was allowing international flights to land in the country. She demanded an immediate order to halt the landing of the international flights in the country.

PM Modi on Thursday addressed the nation and underscored the threat of coronavirus. While appealing to people to stay indoors and work from home, the prime minister asked the entire country to observe 'Janta curfew' on March 22.

"This Sunday, that is on 22 March, all citizens must follow this curfew from 7 am until 9 pm. During this curfew, we shall neither leave our homes, nor get onto the streets and refrain from roaming about in our societies or areas. Only those associated with emergency and essential services may leave their homes," he said.