(file photo)
Alok Mishra
Patna: Sensing gravity of situation in the wake of alarming surge in COVID-19 positive cases in the district in last three weeks, Patna district magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravi has imposed lockdown in entire Patna district for seven days with effect from July 10, 2020. Copies of letter in this regard has also been dispatched to Patna SSP, all City SPs, DDC, all ADMs, SDPOs, SDOs, COs, and officers of all
departments.
As per directives of Union government, Patna district administration was convinced that requirement for lockdown across the district is
inevitable and urgent to contain further spread of the virus. In accordance with powers bestowed on district magistrate, Patna DM
ordered for imposition of lockdown for aforesaid periods.
As per letter issued by Patna DM office, offices of Government of India, its autonomous and sub-ordinate offices and public corporation
will remain closed. Exceptions include defence, central armed police forces, treasury, public utilities (including petroleum, CNG, LPG,
PNG), disaster management, power generation transmission units, post offices, national informatics centre, early warning agencies.
Offices of the State Government, shall also remain closed. The exceptions are : Essential services like police, home-guard, civil defence, fire and emergency services, disaster management, elections, prisons, district administration and treasury, electricity, water, sanitation, municipal bodies with only staff required for essential services like sanitation, personnel related to water supply.
Offices related to judiciary works will run as per guidelines issued by Patna High Court. The letter further mentioned that 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, ambulances and others will continue to remain
functional. Transportation for all medical personnel including nurses, para-medical staffs and other hospital services has been permitted.
Commercial and private establishments shall remain closed.
EXCEPTIONS
a. Shops including ration shops (under PDS), dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and
fish, animal fodder. However, shops related to fruits and vegetables, meat/fish shall remain open only between 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm. Moreover, authorities will encourage and facilitate home delivery to minimisae movement of individuals outside their homes.
b. Banks, insurance offices and ATM
c. Print and electronic media
d. Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services, IT and IT enabled services only (for essential services) and
as far as possible to work from home
e. Delivery of all kinds of goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce
f. Petrol pumps, LPG petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets
g. Power generations, transmission and distribution units and services
h. Capital and debt market services and notified by Securities and
Exchange Board of India
i. Cold storage and warehousing services
j. Private security services
k. Industrial establishments
l. Hospitality services
All other establishments may work from home only. All places of worship shall be closed for public. No religious congregations will be
permitted without any exception. All other activities outside containment zones shall be regulated as per guidelines of Unlock
2.0/lockdown, issued by ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Home department, Bihar government.