PATNA: All government and non-government (private) offices, shops and business establishments, all religious places and shopping malls would now be opened in a normal way from February 7 (Monday), as the Bihar government on Sunday decided to lift many Covid-19 related restrictions following sharp improvement in the pandemic situation across the state.
However, visitors to these places will have to wear masks, maintain social distance and follow Covid-19 related norms.
The state government also decided to allow schools, colleges and coaching institutes to reopen for physical classes. While the schools up to class-8 can reopen with 50 per cent strength, the secondary and higher secondary schools having class-9 and above can reopen with full strength. The colleges, universities, coaching institutes and other institutions of higher education also have been allowed to resume offline classes with 100 per cent attendance.
The new relaxations will be effective from February 7 to 13. “The state government will make a fresh review of covid-19 situation on February 12 and take a decision for the next coming weeks,” additional chief secretary (home) Chaitanya Prasad said.
Earlier, CM Nitish Kumar made announcement about the relaxations through a series post on his Twitter handle, soon after he chaired a meeting of the high-powered crisis management group (CMG), comprising senior members of his cabinet and the state’s top bureaucrats.
“Situation of Covid-19 was reviewed. In the wake of improvement in the situation of the covid-19 infection, all schools up to class-8 can be opened with 50% attendance. The schools of class- 9 and above, the colleges and coaching institutes can be opened with 100 per cent attendance. All government offices will be opened on all working days in a normal way. Entry of only vaccinated visitors will be allowed in the offices,” Nitish said in a series of tweets posted in Hindi.
“All shops, business establishments, shopping malls and religious places can be opened in a normal way. All parks and gardens will be opened from 6 am to 2 pm. Cinema halls, clubs, gym, stadium, swimming pools, restaurants and eateries (with visitors) can be opened with 50% of their strength,” Nitish said in another tweet.
“All sorts of social, political, entertainment, cultural and religious events can be organized with certain precautions after taking prior permission from the respective district administration. Wedding events, the last rites and shradh rituals can be organized with attendance of maximum 200 people,” the CM said in one more tweet.
Hours after the CMG meeting, the state’s chief secretary Amir Subhani issued a fresh notification, announcing new relaxations in the Covid-related restrictions.
As per the notification, though wedding ceremonies can be organised with a maximum of 200 people, the ban on DJ and Baraat parties (marriage procession) would continue. People will have to inform the local police station about the wedding event three days prior to the ceremony.
Public transport vehicles like buses and auto-rickshaws can run with their full capacity. However, the transport department will ensure that there should be no overcrowding in the buses.
