In a shocking move, the Mamata Banerjee government has banned mobile phones inside Covid hospital wards in West Bengal.

"Novel coronavirus spreads through mobile phones and a decision has been taken, as per WHO guidelines, to control the spread of infection. All doctors, medical staff, and patients must deposit their mobile phones outside and collect it while leaving the hospital," the Chief Secretary of West Bengal today said, prompting many to say that the "excuse" is bizarre.

The move has come in for sharp criticism from political opponents as well as neutral voices.

As per the new rules, patients can communicate with their relatives only through attendants. Even staff members can't carry or use mobile phones. They have to be deposited with the hospital.

Union Minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo has alleged that the TMC government has banned cellphones because it doesn't want the "truth" to come out. Recently, a COVID-19 patient shot a video from his mobile. The video outed the awful situation in a hospital ward where a dead body was seen in the same room as Covid patients and staff members.