Cinema halls, bars and restaurants will now be able to resume with 50 percent capacity in the state as the Jharkhand government on Wednesday gave its nod for their operations as part of the unlock ahead of the expiry of the ongoing phase of partial lockdown (health safety week) at 6am on Thursday.

While the state government has decided to go for another edition of complete lockdown from 8pm on Saturday night till 6am on Monday, it has allowed extension of time frame for all kinds of business entities in the state to 8pm from the existing 4 pm cap on normal days, as per the communiqué from the state IPRD department.

The state government has also provided its consent for resumption on intra-state bus movements but curbs will continue on interstate bus movements. Private and public offices can operate with 50 percent capacity whereas banquet and community halls cannot have gatherings of more than 50 persons, thereby allowing more assimilation of people than the existing cap of 11 persons for marriage or other activities. However, organisation of socio-religious processions will remain banned in the state.

All examinations held by the state government stands suspended but those held by the union government are allowed with prescribed Covid-19 norms, informed the communiqué. Religious places will continue to remain closed for devotees.

While e-passes are not required for moving in private vehicles between one district to another within the state, it will continue to remain in force for inter-state movements. The state government has also ended 7-day mandatory quarantine rule for those coming into the state but they will be subjected to thorough Covid-19 testing, read the communiqué, adding that all other prescribed Covid appropriate behaviour will continue to remain functional.