Bihar: State government imposes restrictions due to COVID-19 resurgence
What's the story
Considering a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Bihar government on Friday decided that shops and commercial establishments will function till 7 pm, while schools, colleges, and coaching centers will remain shut for another week till April 18. Announcing the decisions, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said an all-party meeting will be convened soon to seek suggestions on how to check the spread of the infection.
Details
Hotels and dhabas outside the purview of new restrictions
The restrictions will not be applicable on hotels, restaurants, and dhabas, but they also need to adhere to the COVID-19 safety guidelines, Principal Secretary, Health, Pratyaya Amrit said. Kumar, who had on Thursday attended a meeting of chief ministers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the COVID-19 situation, said that the state government will ramp up the vaccination drive between April 11 and 14.
COVID-19 restrictions
Only essential service establishments will function with full strength
Restaurants can function only with 25 percent of their capacity till April 30. Similarly, cinema halls can operate up to 50 percent of their sitting capacity. The government offices should run with a 33 percent workforce till April 30, but this will not be applicable on establishments involved in the delivery of essential services like fire brigade, police, post offices, and banks among others.
Further restrictions
All passengers to be tested at railway stations
A maximum attendance of 50 people is allowed during the conduct of the last rites, while gathering of up to 200 has been allowed in social functions. Since migrant workers are arriving in Bihar, all passengers will be subjected to coronavirus tests at railway stations. Those who test positive will be put in isolation centers while the others can go home.
Vaccination drive
Bihar government will request Centre to send more vaccines
Efforts will be made to vaccinate nearly four lakh eligible beneficiaries daily from April 11 to 14. Asserting that there is no shortage of vaccines in the state, Amrit said, "We received nine lakh doses more. In view of intensifying the inoculation process from April 11 to 14, we will request the Centre to provide an additional supply of vaccines."
All-party meeting
Around one lakh COVID-19 tests are being conducted daily
The number of sample tests, which had gone down in view of an improvement in the situation earlier, has increased substantially and is almost touching one lakh daily. The chief minister said an all-party meeting will be called in another 6-8 days, to discuss the situation with leaders of the political parties and seek cooperation to manage the spike in COVID-19 cases more effectively.