Bihar government decides to enforce lockdown from May 5 to 15, a day after Patna HC warning

PATNA: A day after Patna high court virtually warned the Bihar government to take a decision on enforcing lockdown, Nitish Kumar-led coalition government on Tuesday decided to enforce complete lockdown across the state till May 15. The 11-day long lockdown will come into force from May 5 (Wednesday).
The decision to enforce the lockdown was taken after discussion with cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, CM Nitish Kumar said on Tuesday.
“After discussion with the cabinet ministers and officials yesterday, it was decided to enforce lockdown in Bihar till May 15, 2021. The crisis management group (CMG) has been instructed to take a decision in connection with its detailed guidelines and other activities,” Nitish said in a tweet on Tuesday.
Earlier on Monday, a division bench of the high court said that the state government must either declare a lockdown or it (court) would have to pass an appropriate order.
Hours after the CM’s announcement regarding the enforcement of lockdown, the CMG came out with detailed guidelines regarding the enforcement of the proposed lockdown from May 5.
As per the guidelines notified by the state’s home department, all government offices-- except essential services like district administration, police, fire services, civil defence, health, animal health, electricity supply water supply, disaster management, treasury and its related offices in the finance department, telecommunication and post offices—will remain close.
Decisions taken by the Patna high court will be implemented on the issue of opening or closing the offices related to judicial administration.
All shops, commercial and other private institutes would also remain closed during the period of lockdown.
However, banks, insurance and the offices related to operation of ATMs will not come under the purview of the lockdown. Such offices would continue to work as usual.
Essential services like telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services, print and electronic media, petrol pumps. LPG, petroleum and gas related retail and storage outlets and private security agencies will continue to function as usual.
Shops of essential food items like groceries, fruit and vegetables, mutton-fish, milk, PDS will remain open between 7 am to 11 am every day.
All offices and enterprises related to industrial production and construction works would remain open, construction works will continue.
Agriculture and its related works would also not come under the purview of the lockdown.
“Wedding ceremonies will be allowed with a maximum of 50 participants. No DJ or barat processions will be allowed. Organizer of the wedding function would have to inform the nearest police station at least three days in advance,” the guidelines said.
Only 20 persons will be allowed to participate in the last rites/ shradhh karma.
Hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in the public and private sector, such as dispensaries, chemist and medical equipment shops, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, ambulances, etc will continue to remain open and function as usual.
Except certain concessions, operation of all types of vehicles will remain closed. Vehicles in use of health related works or visiting hospitals/ doctors will be allowed to operate.
All religious places will remain closed for common public.
All schools, colleges, coaching institutions, training institutions and other educational institutions will remain closed. No examinations will be conducted during the lockdown.
Besides these, all district magistrates have been asked to establish community kitchens in their respective district.
All ration card holders will get free-of-cost ration from the PDS shops for the month of May. Money would be paid by the state government