Bihar locks down as Covid crisis deepens
PATNA: With no signs of let-up in surging Covid cases and continuing shortage of life saving drugs, medical oxygen and hospital beds across the state, the Bihar government on Tuesday announced lockdown in the state from May 5 to May 15.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar announced the decision through a tweet Tuesday morning after holding a meeting with cabinet colleagues and senior government officials on Monday night.
“The decision comes in the backdrop of positivity rate which is hovering over 10% for the last one week. Despite restrictions, the infection is increasing,” said chief secretary Tripurari Sharan.
The state reported 14,794 positive cases on Tuesday, taking the number of active cases to 110,430. Patna continued to remain a hotspot, reporting 2,681 of the new Covid-19 infections during the last 24 hours. The state so far has recorded 2,926 deaths, 105 of which were reported in last 24 hours.
The state government, in the last week of April, had extended curfew timings from 9 pm to 6 pm and ordered closure of shops from 4 pm instead of 6 pm.
The government had earlier restricted attendance of staff in offices and semi-government offices to only 25% while schools were closed till may 15. The universities and colleges have already closed down for summer vacation since May 1.
Meanwhile, principal opposition RJD said the lockdown decision had come late. “The opposition has been demanding lockdown for last 15 days. But the CM was awaiting orders from somewhere else. And when it started affecting villages, the government has imposed the lockdown,” said leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
However, RJD’s ally Congress welcomed the decision. “We have requested CM for lockdown earlier. It has come a bit late, but we welcome it,” said Congress MLC Premchandra Mishra.
“The Bihar government is taking every decision in consultation from the group of experts and taking into account people’s opinion. We appreciate the decision on the lockdown,” said BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand.