Jharkhand is coming up with a portal for issuing e-passes for the movement of cars and bikes from Sunday, May 16 when the next phase of the ongoing partial lockdown will be in force across the state.

The lockdown, or health safety week, will be on till May 27. During this time, intra-state bus movement will be prohibited while those using private vehicles/taxis/bikes for travel will need to have valid e-permits from the local district administration.

An official in the health department said that e-passes will have to be secured for any kind of movement on cars and bikes, except for medical

exigencies. “Certain essential services like groceries, vegetable markets, etc, will remain open till 2pm during this period of the partial lockdown. But one will have to get an e-permit if one wishes to use a vehicle (car or bike) to go to a market,” he said, adding that the idea was to restrict the movement of people as much as possible.

For obtaining an e-passes, an applicant will have to click on the portal (https://epassjharkhand.nic.in) and register using his/her mobile number. Thereafter, he/she will have to select the choice of travel (intra/inter-district) and purpose of visit from the available options. The e-pass will be sent on the applicant's registered mobile number.

The portal is scheduled to be up and running by Saturday, May 15.

Even for those scheduled to travel by train or air, an e-pass along with a valid photo ID and ticket will be required, read the SOP issued by the transport department. “All private vehicles/taxis coming into the state will also have to get e-pass but those vehicles which are only crossing through the state for other destinations are not required to get it,” it said, adding that vehicles going out of the state would not require permits.

However, e-permits will not be required for people travelling for medical exigencies or funerals. Vehicles of both Union and state governments or those belonging to officials engaged in Covid duty would need passes.

Those coming from outside the state via air, rail, road route will also have to register themselves at www.Jharkhandtravel.nic.in and stay in seven-day quarantine, as per directives of respective district administrations. Only those who are scheduled to return within 72 hours are exempt from mandatory quarantine.