Kolkata, The West Bengal government on Thursday permitted sweet shops to remain open for eight hours daily during the Covid-19 induced lockdown as against the four-hour ceiling announced earlier.

On March 20, the Mamata Banerjee-led government had allowed the sweet shops to remain open from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Announcing the fresh relaxation, Chief Minister Banerjee said the decision was taken in view of a request from the sweet shop owners.

"They have told us that the 12 noon to 4 p.m. slot is inconvenient for them, as a lot of buyers don't come in the afternoon. So from now on, sweet shops will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.," she told the media.