The Jharkhand government on Monday announced a slew partial restrictions after a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Hemant Soren on Monday in the wake of a rapid surge in Covid-19 cases since the last week of December, 2021.

All educational institutions, tourist spots, parks, zoos, swimming pools and stadiums will be closed in the state till January 15. Cinema halls, restaurants and shopping complexes have been allowed to function but only with 50 per cent capacity. Offices can also operate but with 50 per cent attendance.

While all shops and market establishments will operate till 8pm, bars, medical shops and restaurants can operate as per normal timings which, depending on the area extends to anytime between 10.00 pm and 11.00pm.

For the second consecutive day on Sunday, Jharkhand recorded over 1,000 new cases.

Talking to the media after the meeting in the evening, state disaster management department minister Banna Gupta said no decision on night curfew had been taken, but that the government decided to impose certain partial curbs to control the spread of the virus.

“All educational institutions will be closed till January 15 but they can function with 50 per cent capacity for administrative work. We have decided to close down all parks, zoos, swimming pools, stadiums, also till January 15. Except for bars, medical shops and restaurants, all other outlets will function only till 8 pm.”

A press statement issued by the state IPRD department at night indicated that the state government had capped participation in outdoor events to 100 people. “For indoor events, 100 people or 50 per cent capacity of the venue, whichever is lesser, will be permitted,” the statement read, and added that all offices had been allowed to function with 50 per cent capacity. However, biometric attendance had been stopped till January 15.