Bihar provided further relaxation on Tuesday in the curbs imposed in the wake of the ongoing second wave of the coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic, but decided to keep educational and religious institutions closed till further orders. The night curfew has been curtailed by an hour.

The decisions were taken at the meeting of the crisis management group chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar to discuss the curbs and relaxations needed at the present stage of the pandemic.

“We reviewed the situation of coronavirus infection in the state. We are providing relaxation in the restrictions for the next one week from June 16-22 to allow government and private offices to function till 5pm. Shops and business establishments can remain open till 6pm. The night curfew will remain in force from 8pm to 5am,” Nitish said.

Nitish’s announcements will be implemented in the second week of the ‘unlock’ or easing of restrictions after a 35-day lockdown from May 5 to June 8 during which the state was reeling under the second wave of Covid-19. The poor health infrastructure and management of the pandemic aggravated the situation.

The offices were allowed to function till 4pm and the shops could stay open till 5pm during the unlock-I from June 9 to 15.

Later on Tuesday, chief secretary Tripurari Sharan issued a detailed notification for the unlock-II guidelines. He said that the offices could function with 50 per cent attendance. Shops and business establishments will open on alternate days, which will be decided by the concerned district magistrates.

Shops will have to keep sanitisers at their counters and ensure that everybody wears a mask, as well as, maintain social distancing. Legal action will be taken against their owners on any digression from the rules.

Cinema halls, clubs, swimming pools, parks and stadiums will remain shut during this week-long period and no socio-cultural-public functions will be held. Only 20 people will be allowed to attend marriage functions, funeral processions and last rites.

Under the new restrictions, restaurants and eateries could provide only home delivery service from 9am to 9pm daily.

Bihar has witnessed 7.18 lakh coronavirus cases, including 9,505 deaths till Monday. Altogether 324 new cases of infections were detected and the number of active cases in the state has come down to 4,771.