The Home Department, Government of Bihar, has issued guidelines for implementation during the lockdown in the State Headquarters, District Headquarters, Sub-divisional Headquarters, Block Headquarters and all Municipal areas in the State of Bihar, for a period of 16 days starting from 16th July, 2020, till 31st July, 2020.
Key Highlights:
1. Commercial and private establishments shall be closed, with the following exceptions:
i. Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services. IT and IT enabled Services permitted only for essential services and as far as possible to work from home;
ii. Banks, insurance offices, and ATM which will include all bank related subsidiaries and offices like Cash Management, IT services etc;
ii. Print and electronic media;
iii. E-commerce (all kind of goods);
iv. Capital and debt market services as notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India;
v. Cold storage and warehousing services;
vi. Private security services;
vii. Petrol pumps. LPG petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets;
viii. Power generation, transmission and distribution units and services;
ix. Hospitality services including Hotels / Motels / Lodges. Restaurants / Dhaba / Eateries will be allowed to operate with home delivery / take away services only;
x. Repair and maintenance activities- garage, mobile repair, shops related to repair and maintenance parts, etc.; to be allowed by the district administration;
All other establishments may work-from-home only.
2. Industrial establishments will be allowed to open with strict implementation of necessary precautions against COVID-19, as well as social distancing measures, as advised by Health Department from time to time. However, such establishments will work in-situ in Urban areas;
3. All transport services will be suspended, with the following exceptions-
i. air and rail transport will remain functional as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Railways;
ii. Taxies, auto rickshaws, etc. will be permitted across Bihar;
iii. Private vehicles will be allowed across Bihar for permitted activities as mentioned in this Order;
iv. Transportation of goods will be allowed without any hindrance, including loading and unloading at the warehouses;
v. All Govemment vehicles, and private vehicles carrying Government Office staffs will be allowed to commute on their office I-cards;
vi. All essential service providers will be allowed to commute only from home to workplace.
4. All construction related activities will be allowed along with the functioning of construction related shops;
5. Hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in public and private sector, such as dispensaries, chemist and medical equipment shops, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance, etc. will continue to remain functional. The transportation for all medical personnel, nurses, para-medical staff, other hospital support services are permitted. This will be applicable on veterinary services and establishments also.
6. agriculture related activities will be allowed along with the functioning of agriculture related shops.
7. educational, training, research, coaching institution, etc. will remain closed. Online/distance learning will continue to be permirred and will be encouraged;
8. All places of worship will be closed for public. No religious congregation will be permitted, without any exception;
9. All social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/rerigious functions/gathering and opening of parks will be barred. Sports complexes and stadium will be permitted to open, however spectarors will not be allowed;
10. The National Directives for COVID-19 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (“MHA”) will be applicable;
11. The orders of MHA regarding Containment Zones will continue to be effective;
This Order will supersede all Orders issued by the concerned District Magistrates in their respecrive area of jurisdiction regarding the lockdown with respect to containment of COVID-19. Further, the District Magistrates cannot dilute restrictions imposed by this Order. However, based on their assessment of the situation, they may prohibit certain activities in areas outside containment zones.
Source: Home Department, Government of Bihar
