Kolkata, Jul 22 (IANS): The Kolkata Police officials, here on Wednesday, conducted awareness campaigns in various areas urging people to stay indoor and step out only for emergency purposes during the bi-weekly lockdown that will begin on July 23.

The lockdown will be enforced on Thursday and Saturday this week. In will be enforced again on July 29. As per the state government guidelines, the lockdown will continue between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The campaigns were mainly carried out in thickly populated areas and busy market complexes.

The decision to impose bi-weekly lockdown was taken after the state recorded a surge in coronavirus cases.

West Bengal recorded 2,261 Covid-19 cases and 35 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 47,030 and the toll to 1,182, respectively.

Besides Kolkata, districts like North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly are the worst affected.

Meanwhile, the restrictions in the Covid containment zones, which began on July 9, will continue till July 31.

The Kolkata Police has also launched an awareness campaign about the necessity of wearing masks under the banner 'Mask-up Kolkata'. A supportive jingle has been penned, composed and sung by singer Usha Uthup.