The statewide lockdown in Bihar due to the rising cases of COVID-19 has been extended for 16 days from August 1. Essential services will be allowed across the state. Media persons and bank workers have been exempted from the government’s order.
The decision comes a day after West Bengal announced lockdown in the containment zones till August 31 as also the biweekly restrictions in place to check the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Offices of the Government of India, its Autonomous/Subordinate offices and Public Corporation shall work with 50% sub-ordinate staff, officers to attend office. Commercial and private offices allowed to operate at 50% strength asper Bihar lockdown guidelines.
Offices of the Government of India, its Autonomous/Subordinate offices and
Public Corporation shall work with 50% sub-ordinate staff, officers to attend office. Commercial and private offices allowed to operate at 50% strength: Bihar lockdown guidelines https://t.co/wTepjXksTa— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2020
Earlier this month, a central team had visited Bihar to review the COVID-19 situation in the state amid complaints of inadequate facilities and negligence at state-run hospitals. The three-member team led by Joint Secretary in Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry Lav Agarwal were sent to the state after allegations of poor handling of the coronavirus situation by the Nitish Kumar-led government.
The Bihar government has appointed IAS Pratyay Amrit as the new principal secretary (health), replacing Uday Singh Kumawat. This is the third such placement within two and a half months and shows that all is not well in the health department. On May 20, Kumawat had replaced the then principal secretary Sanjay Kumar in the health department.
The COVID-19 tally in Bihar has surged to 45,919. The number of recovered patients stands at 29,220.
