Jharkhand extends lockdown outside containment zones till Aug 31

The Jharkhand government has ordered an extension of the lockdown in the state outside the containment zones till August 31 due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

The order will come into effect from August 1.

"The status of unlock in Jharkhand will remain unchanged till 31 August 2020," Office of Jharkhand tweeted.

झारखण्ड में अनलॉक की स्थिति 31 अगस्त 2020 तक यथावत बनी रहेगी। pic.twitter.com/xYXDDBcLUa

— Office of Chief Minister, Jharkhand (@JharkhandCMO) July 30, 2020

The order stated that "All economic activities permitted prior to this order shall remain permitted." 

Further, the new order also directed officials to regularly visit houses of people who are under home quarantine.

"State Executive Committee(SEC) hereby orders extension of lockdown related restrictions currently in place in the state of Jharkhand outside the containment zones up to 31.08.2020 due to COVID-19 and issue directions to all the Departments of Government of Jharkhand and all the District administration for strict implementation of Guidelines and State Directives," the statement read.

There are  5,728 COVID-19 active COVID-19 cases in Jharkhand, with 107 deaths. 

The development comes after Centre issued new guidelines for Unlock 3 that will come into effect from August 1.

Under the new guidelines, Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5 as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure social distancing.