Calcuttans stocked up on groceries and packed refrigerators with ready-to-eats ahead of two consecutive days of “complete lockdown”.

Except essential service personnel and people in emergencies, no one will be allowed outside between 6am and 10pm on Thursday and Friday. Even food stores and milk booths will be closed.

Biswajit Saha, who runs a mom-and-pop store on Hindusthan Road, had sold 40 litres of milk more than he usually does. Around 7.30pm, he was lamenting he could have sold at least 120 litres more had he got the arithmetic right. “One man who buys two pouches took home 10 today,” Saha said.

Many are worried about supplies on Saturday morning as well. Milk may or may not be there this Saturday but banks will be closed. The two-day lockdown means four consecutive bank holidays.

There were longer queues outside ATMs across the city on Wednesday, amid apprehension that they may not be refilled over the weekend. The manager of a nationalised bank said his bank had refilled all their ATMs.

The pharmacies were crowded as were liquor stores.

Exemptions during the lockdown include health services, medicine stores, police stations, courts, jails, electricity and conservancy services, cooked food delivery services, newspapers and electronic media. Police teams across the city used loudhailers and microphones to announce the lockdown dates and rules.

Officers in Gariahat said the market was unusually crowded on Wednesday and they had to announce again and again the need to maintain the social distancing rule.

On Wednesday, several elderly citizens were seen queuing up outside a nationalised bank near Behala Chowrasta around 11.30am.

As only four visitors were being allowed inside, the queue kept extending. Rishikesh Hazra, said he was more comfortable with withdrawal from a bank than an ATM. “I am scared someone will see my PIN and steal my money,” said the retired school teacher.