Bihar Corona Guidelines: School Closed Till April 18, Shops To Remain Open Till 7 PM - Details Here

While making the announcement, the Principal Secretary (Disaster Management), Bihar Pratyaya Amrit said that hotels and dhabas are allowed to open as per their normal timings, but with 25 per cent seating capacity. 

(File Photo/ Getty)

Patna: In the wake of significantly rising Coronavirus cases, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government imposed several Covid-19 restrictions in the state. As per the announcement, all shops have been allowed to open till 7 pm. 

While making the announcement, the Principal Secretary (Disaster Management), Bihar Pratyaya Amrit said that hotels and dhabas are allowed to open as per their normal timings, but with 25 per cent seating capacity. 

He also informed that cinema halls and public transportation can function on 50 per cent occupancy. Essential services are exempted from the new Covid-19 curbs.

During a press conference Nitish Kumar announced that order to close all schools and colleges in the state from April 5 to April 11 have been extended to one week. This means that schools in Bihar will remain closed till April 18. 

All temples and religious places have been closed in the state for now and the government has also restricted gatherings on social events.

Only 200 people are allowed in marriages while 50 people are permitted to attend funerals.

On the backdrop of migrant workers' return to Bihar from several states due to Coronavirus surge, Bihar CM assured that all necessary arrangements are being made. 

"Those coming by trains from Maharashtra will be tested for Covid-19 at the railway stations," he said.

In terms of vaccination, Kumar also favoured vaccination of journalists of all age groups. "They go everywhere to cover news and should be included among frontline workers," Kumar said. 

The second wave of Covid-19 saw significant spike in daily cases in Bihar. A total of 1,527 fresh coronavirus cases were reported from across Bihar on Wednesday as the "second wave" of the pandemic has hit the state like other parts of the country.

The state health bulletin stated that Bihar's total Covid-19 caseload has surged passed 2.8 lakhs.

A report by news agency PTI stated that following strict instruction of Bihar CM, the state health department has increased test of samples which had slided to around 20,000 before the second wave hit the state.