In West Bengal, the fresh lockdown has been imposed for seven days in the Containment zones of the State. The restrictions were imposed last afternoon following the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in the State.

According to reports West Bengal recorded the highest number of 1088 COVID cases in the last 24 hours. With this total number of infected patients has reached nearly 26 thousand. The highest 27 persons were also died of the disease in a single day so far taking the death toll to 854.

Meanwhile, strict Police vigil has been kept at Containment Zones in the State. Microphones are being used by the Police requesting people for strict compliance of Lockdown and mandatory use of masks.The number of victims has risen sharply in the country since the lockdown. West Bengal was not left out either. The situation in several districts, including Kolkata, has become increasingly dire. In this situation, the state announced lockdown in all the containment zones of the state.

On the other hand,  as soon as this news came to light, the city dwellers panicked again. Rumors of complete shutdown have seen a flurry of people in the Kolkata market. Long lines in front of grocery stores across the city were seen before the announcement of the lockdown.

The people of the city gather in the grocery stores regardless of the social distance to store the necessary items for the next 7 days. Anil Patra, a rice trader from Behala, said, "I saw such a line in the shop for about three months. In just two hours, 5,000 kg of rice was sold." Confusion over Containment Zone Lockdown has been announced only in Containment Zone. But due to confusion over which areas are under the containment zone, the entire city dwellers have virtually crowded the shops and markets.

Debabrata Ghosh, a resident of Premchand Boral Street, who reached the market on College Street at 8 am, said, "I don't want to take any risk. If my area falls under the containment zone, there will be nothing to do. 'Stock out' vegetables in the market! Almost all the vegetables in the College Street market run out by 9 am, according to the vegetable sellers in the market. Afzal Mollah, a vegetable seller in that market, said that those who used to buy two types of vegetables have also bought a large quantity of all kinds of vegetables in these two days.

Demand continues to increase the black marketing activities, realizing the opportunity, some unscrupulous retailers are selling products at high prices. Mustard oil, which was bought at Rs 120 two days ago, was sold at Rs 135 on Wednesday.

The price of pulses and spices has also gone up. Alok Maitra, a resident of Pornshree, complained, "We shop every day, so we can easily catch the price increase or decrease." Meanwhile, the market task force is keeping a close watch on retailers. Officials of the organization also said that if any unscrupulous trader is caught, they will be severely punished.