New Delhi (NVI): In the wake of increasing number of coronavirus cases and the tally nearing 20,000-mark, Bihar government has decided to impose total lockdown from July 16 to 31.
The decision was taken in a meeting held by the crisis management group of the state government, officials said.
Only emergency services will be allowed during this 15-day lockdown period and all shops, malls and religious places will be shut, according to media reports.
The lockdown order comes after the coronavirus tally rose by over 1,000 for the third consecutive day. On Sunday, the state had witnessed the biggest single-day spike of 1,266 cases.
Patna, Bhagalpur and Begusarai are the worst affected districts in the state.
Patna is already under increase restrictions, to prevent conditions including crowding that are leading to a spurt in the disease.
On Tuesday, the overall coronavirus tally in the state rose to 18,853 with record 1,432 new cases in the last 24 hours, while the death toll rose to 134 after 9 new COVID-19 deaths were reported.
-CHK
