This story is from May 30, 2020

Bihar: Residents for stricter curbs, industries want relaxations

Bihar: Residents for stricter curbs, industries want relaxations
Photo used for representational purpose only
PATNA: With just two days left for the fourth phase of lockdown to end, many people from cross sections of society are in favour of another lockdown with fewer relaxations. Industry bodies, businessmen and daily wagers, however, want easing of lockdown so that economic activities could gather pace.
“Covid-19 cases have doubled in the state following relaxations in lockdown. The government should enforce strict rules to contain the spread of the virus.
Only those unable to earn livelihood should be given relaxations,” said Anand Singh, a resident of Boring Road.
D M Diwakar, a social scientist and professor of economics at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies, said a lockdown without preparation is equivalent to no lockdown. “Almost all activities have been resumed. As a result, Covid cases have jumped in the state,” he said.
Even schools are in favour of continuation of lockdown. Fr Armstrong Edison, principal of St Michael’s High school, said lockdown is very important to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “Even if the government decides to reopen schools, we are prepared for it. The authorities should, however, enforce different rules for educational institutions by decreasing the number of students attending school at a time,” he said.
Industry bodies, however, said the government should consider giving more relaxations. Bihar Industries Association president Ram Lal Khaitan said all industrial units outside the containment zones should be given permission to resume normal operations. “The employees and workers should definitely follow social distancing norms and other precautionary measures,” he said.
Health experts said new methods should be introduced as lockdown is not preventing the spread of the virus. Dr Satyendra Narayan Singh, head of microbiology department at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), said the need of the hour is to change testing method.
“The government should introduce antibody testing in the state in order to detect more cases. According to findings of Journal of American Medical Association, antibody testing, which is done by two methods – rapid antibody test and ALISA test – has achieved 100% success in detecting positive corona cases worldwide,” Dr Singh added.
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