The state has seen a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases with numbers in Kolkata tripling over the past three days with the positivity rate rising to 12.5%. It is said that COVID-19 cases shot up nearly 10 ten times in Kolkata<\/a> in five days and the positivity rate of the entire state has increased to 5.47%. Kolkata reported 1,954 new infections on Friday, while the total new COVID-19 cases in West Bengal stood at 3,451.<\/p>\n Due to strict regulations to control the pandemic, a night curfew has been imposed wherein no individual or transport movement will be allowed from 10 pm to 5 am. Restaurants and bars have been ordered to operate at 50% capacity and will shut down by 10 pm. Cinema halls and theatres will follow similar guidelines.<\/p>\n As part of the new restrictions, direct flights from the UK have been temporarily suspended from tomorrow, January 3, 2022. All incoming international passengers will have to undergo a mandatory Rapid Antigen Test from tomorrow onwards.<\/p>\n All schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed from tomorrow onwards. All government and private offices will operate with 50% attendance. Swimming pools, spas, beauty parlors, gyms, and wellness centers will remain closed from tomorrow.<\/p>\n All entertainment parks, zoos, tourist places will be closed. Shopping malls and market complexes will operate with 50% capacity. Local trains will also operate at 50% capacity and will not be plying beyond 7 pm.<\/p>\n Only 50 persons are allowed to attend any religious, cultural, and social gatherings. All meetings and conferences are restricted to 200 persons or 50% hall capacity, whichever is lesser. For marriage-related ceremonies, a maximum of 50 persons are allowed whereas not more than 20 persons are permitted to attend funerals, burial services, and last rites.<\/p>\n The holiday season and large-crown gathering festivities all over the nation along with the massive election rallies are sure to aggravate the COVID rise again. Let Indians keep their fingers crossed so that India will not see another noxious wave as the deathly second wave.<\/a><\/p>\n