Bihar goes in for stricter curbs to counter the second surge of Covid-19

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<strong>Faced with the unabated second surge of Covid-19 pandemic the State of Bihar decided to enforce stricter curbs to contain the spread of the disease.</strong></p>
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This decision was arrived at by the State Government after a meeting of the top officials, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the crisis management group members was held.</p>
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The Development Commissioner and member of State Crisis Management group Amir Subhani said: “Night curfew across the State will now be effective from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and all shops should be closed by 4 p.m.. Maximum 50 persons can participate in a marriage ceremony while 20 person will be allowed for funeral rites.”</p>
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Subhani went on to add that the night curfew for marriage ceremonies will be effective from 10 p.m.</p>
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As of Thursday evening, according to the official figures there were 98,748 active cases and 4,41,375 total cases in the State.</p>
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In accordance with the new order, the night curfew period has been extended and now it will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The earlier timings were from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is obvious that this has been done to curtail the movement of the public to check the spread of Covid-19.</p>
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The new restrictions will continue till May 15.</p>
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Besides the night curfew here are the other guidelines.</p>
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* The timings of all shops/commercial establishments have been restricted and they are required to close at 4 pm daily.</p>
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* The maximum number of persons allowed for a wedding ceremony is limited to 50.</p>
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* For cremations and funerals the maximum number of persons allowed is 20.</p>
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* Government and other offices will function only with 25 per cent attendance.</p>
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The services that will be exempt from these curbs include the public transport which will allow only 50 per cent seating capacity, industrial organisations, construction work, activities related to E-commerce, health services, vendors selling fruits and vegetables on carts, and activities related to farming. The takeaway facility will be allowed from restaurants only till 9 p.m.</p>
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Subhani who briefed the media on the new curbs also said that the State Government will meet the cost of conduct of last rites of Covid-19 victims and also those testing negative but having symptoms of the deadly virus.</p>
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Further, he said, in order to ramp up the healthcare services by increasing the number of doctors and paramedics, walk-in interviews will be held for recruitment for one year.</p>