The district administration has informed political parties that all gatherings that attract large crowds are banned even as more than a dozen marriage and banquet halls at prominent hotels were sealed in efforts aimed at stemming the spread of Covid-19.

Bokaro deputy commissioner Mukesh Kumar has written to MPs, MLAs and district presidents of all political parties, informing them of the ban on public gatherings.

Kumar pointed out that political events often draw people who do not fully comply with social distancing norms.

The move by the district administration follows a recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Bokaro.

In the past three months, more than 50 Covid-19 cases have been detected in the district. Currently, there are 11 active cases in the Covid-19 ward of Bokaro General Hospital.

Kumar said: “It is well known that the coronavirus outbreak is spreading rapidly in the entire country, including Jharkhand. Bokaro is also not untouched by this, as so far 52 cases have been registered.

“In this situation, efforts should be made jointly to prevent infection. Any kind of mass gathering should be discouraged by political leaders. It is banned to prevent the spread of infection.”

The letters were sent to the MPs of Giridih (Chandraprakash Chaudhary [AJSU-P]) and Dhanbad (Pasupatinath Singh [BJP]). Besides, members of the legislature of Bokaro (Biranchi Narayan [BJP]), Chandankyari (Amar Bauri [BJP]) and Gomia (Lambodar Mahto [AJSU-P]) and district presidents of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, BJP and RJD, among other parties, were also informed of the ban.

The leaders have been also asked to comply with social distancing rules.

The gathering of people has been banned under Section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and Section 19 of Jharkhand Epidemic Diseases Covid-19 Regulations 2020.

At a videoconference on Wednesday where the chief secretary was also present, various guidelines related to the measures were discussed. They include the banning of weddings, birthday parties, farewell ceremonies and other events at marriage, banquet and community halls.

The letter states: “Keeping the safety of the state in view, it is advisable not to organise any kind of foundation, inauguration, general assembly (aam sabha), seminar, meeting and other ceremonies which draw crowds during the pandemic in the public interest.

“It is also requested that publicity related to compliance of social distancing and mandatory wearing of masks be spread in their respective areas. Your cooperation is expected to make Bokaro district corona free. Please give it the highest priority.”

Marriage, banquet halls sealed

Officials on Thursday sealed marriage and banquet halls at prominent hotels to prevent social gatherings and parties in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have started by sealing the banquet halls at major hotels in the Bokaro Steel Township. The process will continue on Friday,” said Shashi Prakash Singh, subdivisional officer, Chas.

The action came after reports that social distancing norms were being flouted at weddings and events at the hotels.

The establishments which were sealed are Hotel Reliance, Hotel Westin, Hotel Western Farm, Amrapalli Kalyan Mandap, the banquet halls at Hotel Blue Diamond and Jagannath Temple, Milan Banquet Hall, Budh Vihar Banquet Hall, and Hans Regency Banquet Hall in Sector 1.

“The banquet halls were violating social distancing rules and organising events without permission,” said Singh.

The Bokaro deputy commissioner said every necessary action was being taken by the administration to prevent the spread of Covid-19.