Bihar goes for lockdown to stem the Covid-19 tide

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<strong>The raging Covid-19 pandemic in Bihar along with terse warning from the Patna High Court to impose lockdown, saw the State Chief Minister, Nitiish Kumar declare it on May 4.</strong></p>
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Taking to the social media, the Chief Minister made the announcement a day after he met all Ministers and top officials to take a call on the matter.</p>
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The announcement came in the midst of rapid rise in the Covid-19 cases in the State and also within hours of the High Court ordering the Government to declare a lockdown, warning that otherwise the Court may step in.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/bihar-goes-in-for-stricter-curbs-to-counter-the-second-surge-of-covid-84580.html">Bihar goes in for stricter curbs to counter the second surge of Covid-19</a></strong></p>
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In his post, Kumar said: "After discussion with the associate ministers and officials yesterday, it was decided to implement the lockdown in Bihar by May 15, 2021. In relation to its detailed guidelines and other activities, today the Crisis management group has been instructed to take action.”</p>
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A Crisis Management Group has been formed by the Government to work out and finalise the details of the move and to guide it.</p>
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Addressing the media after the announcement, the Chief Secretary Tripurari Sharan informed that all Government and private offices will remain closed during the period. He added that essential services such as civil defence, electricity supply, water supply, fire services, veterinary work, postal and telecommunication will continue to operate.</p>
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The lockdown restrictions keep those in the healthcare segment like hospitals, medical laboratories, ambulance services, and other health-related outlets out of the ambit of the lockdown.</p>
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Also in order to keep the economy rolling, banking, ATMs and insurance services. Industrial and construction work, besides agricultural activities, e-commerce, and courier services are also exempted.</p>
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According to the latest guidelines, Government offices and public corporations will remain closed as will all educational institutions, private and commercial establishments.</p>
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All cinema halls, shopping malls, gyms, stadiums and parks have also been closed. Also all places of worship and religious gatherings will also be closed.</p>
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Public transport movement has been halted except for trains and flights. Transport of emergency services have been allowed.</p>
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To ensure normal is not hampered for the common people, shops dealing with grocery items and retail outlets dealing with vegetables, fruits, non-vegetarian items, milk, and public distribution system outlets will function from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily, said the Chief Secretary.</p>
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Restaurants can do home delivery from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.</p>
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In order to restrict movement of people, the concerned authorities have been asked to encourage home delivery.</p>
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For weddings only 50 guests will be allowed but taking out of barat procession and use of DJs is forbidden. For funeral rites only 20 persons are permissible.</p>
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To take care of the needy, Sharan disclosed that all districts have been ordered to organise community kitchens to feed them. Further, ration card holders will be allotted foodgrains from PDS shops free in May.</p>
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As reported earlier by India Narrative, the State had earlier imposed a night curfew in the State till March 15.</p>