Six-day lockdown in Begusarai from today

BEGUSARAI: DM Arvind Kumar Verma has ordered lockdown in the district for six days from Saturday. In his order, the district magistrate said it was necessitated following spike in Covid-19 cases in the last three weeks and as per the ministry of home affairs guidelines in order to contain further spread of the virus.
All shops and markets will remain closed, except those dealing in grocery items, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat and fish.However, such shops will be allowed only from 6am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.
The central and state government offices will also remain closed with exceptions of those involved in essential services like defence, public utilities, power, water services, banks, post offices and police among others. Public transport, except buses, are barred on road. Religious places will also remain closed.
Altogether 634 persons were found Covid-19 positive in the district till Wednesday with 153 active cases only. However, the alarm bell set ringing after surge in positive cases during the last few days with large number of cases from Mungeriganj area in the town besides Balia and Naokothi. As per a status report till Wednesday, as many as 10,970 people were tested in the district with reports received for 10,604.
The district administration has been running awareness campaign, asking people to wear masks while going outside. Those found without masks are being fined Rs50. However, despite all efforts, a large number of people still venture out on roads without masks.