Two ministers, Rameshwar Oraon and Alamgir Alam, announced on Thursday that they would henceforth be working from home, following in the footsteps of chief minister Hemant Soren who went on home quarantine on Wednesday after two MLAs tested positive for the Coronavirus, sending the political class and their babus into a tizzy.

Oraon, who holds finance and food and civil supplies portfolio, said, he had decided to restrict his movements. “I have dealt with all key files from home today (Thursday). I shall continue to do so for a few days as a safety measure,” he said. Oraon, however, paid a visit to the state Congress party headquarters in the evening.

His colleague, Alamgir Alam, who is state rural development minister, also worked from home, an official note issued by the Congress said.

A sense of concern, bordering on far, was palpable in the corridors of power ever since state water resources minister Mithilesh Thakur and JM,’s Tundi MLA Mathura Mahto tested positive for the virus in quick succession on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the JMM announced the closure of its central office. On Thursday, the Opposition BJP put up notice at its state headquarters in Harmu announcing a closure till further notice. A staff at the gate said, “Entry to the office has been banned for all again in the wake of pandemic.”

Congress spokesperson Alok Dubey said that he had asked all party men not to come to the Congress office unless called for in the next 10 days. “As a precaution, meetings at the party office have been cancelled for at least 10 days. The party president has asked all members to not come to the office unless ther is an emergency,” he said.