Bihar unlock 6: Primary, middle schools to reopen on August 16, cinema halls to operate with 50% capacity

PATNA: The state government on Wednesday allowed the schools to resume academic activities in Classes IX and X from August 7. Primary and middle schools up to Class VIII will also be opened from August 16. The decisions were made at the crisis management group (CMG) meeting chaired by CM Nitish Kumar to ease further Covid-related restrictions in the state under Unlock-6.
All shops and business establishments will be opened till 7 pm every day, with a weekly closing on one day. Cinema halls are also allowed to operate till 7pm everyday with only 50% of the seats capacity. Shopping malls will be opened till 7pm on alternate days. The new relaxations will be effective from August 7 to 25. The night curfew will remain in force from 9pm to 5am every day. Parks and gardens will open from 6am till 12 noon.
"In view of the decline in Covid-19 infection rate, it has been decided to open all shops with one-day weekly closing from August 7 to 25. Class 9 and 10 will be opened from August 7 and Class 1 to 8 from August 16. Coaching institutions can work with 50% attendance of students on alternate day. Public transport vehicles will be allowed to run with their full capacity of passengers. Cinema halls and shopping malls, too, will be opened with certain restrictions. In schools, students will be given information about the Covid-19 resilient behaviour. People should still take Covid-19 related precautions," Nitish said in a series of tweets on Wednesday.
After the CMG meeting, chief secretary Tripurari Sharan issued a fresh notification announcing more relaxations.
All shops and business establishments will have to provide a list of its working employees with their status of vaccination to the local police station.

The existing ban on holding any government/private functions/events (except the Covid-related govt functions) would continue till further order.
Education minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary told TOI that all secondary and senior secondary schools are already open as students of class XI and XII are attending their classes. “Primary and middle schools (classes 1 to 8) would practically be opened from August 15 for hoisting the national flag. But classes will begin from August 16. Headmasters of all primary and middle schools are being directed to open schools on August 15, invite children for the flag hoisting programme and distribute ‘jalebi’ (sweets) among children,” Choudhary said.
The minister further said that all classes would run with 50% attendance. The children would attend classes on alternate days. The headmasters and officials of the education department were being asked to ensure proper cleaning and sanitation in all classrooms and entire school premises before resuming teaching works. All teachers and staff have been directed to get vaccinated before opening of the schools. Teachers and students would take all necessary precautions and follow all Covid-related protocols in the school and classrooms, Choudhary said.