Mixed scene in Patna streets on Day 1 of Lockdown 5.0

PATNA: The state capital wore a comparatively desolate look on Day 1 of the week-long lockdown on Friday. Marketplaces, shopping malls, religious places, private offices and other establishments were shut following DM Kumar Ravi’s orders to contain the surge in Covid-19 cases in Patna.
Police personnel were seen enforcing the lockdown restrictions. “As movement of people for essential services is allowed, we are only checking if they are following traffic rules and precautionary measures such as wearing masks.The local cops are keeping a vigil on the shops that have been prohibited from opening,” said City SP (Central) Vinay Tiwari said.
Only shops dealing with essential commodities such as grocery, fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat are allowed to open while commercial markets and shopping complexes are shut.
While shop owners agree that the lockdown is necessary to contain the virus, they are worried about spending another week without much business. Asharam Singh, chief security officer of a shopping mall in Kurji, said the lockdown period will be used for proper sanitization of the mall. “Unlike the last time, we have asked the grocery retail shop to down their shutter as we don’t want any kind of public interference during the cleaning process,” Singh said.
Rajesh Kumar Dabloo, president of Maurya Lok Shopkeeper Kalyan Samiti, said the lockdown won’t affect the shopkeepers much as they were already facing losses due to lesser footfall of customers.
Private offices in the city, however, were already working from home despite relaxations. Praveen Kumar, director of a private firm, said safety of his employees is his topmost priority. “Even if one employee tests Covid-19 positive, the entire firm will have to suffer. Therefore, it’s good that the district administration has taken such steps,” he said.
Government offices also witnessed thin attendance. Even the secretariat wore a deserted look as several offices, including that of deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, has been sealed after few of his staff tested positive for the virus.
The management committees of religious bodies advised devotees not to visit temples, gurudwaras, mosques and churches and protect the city from entering the community spread phase. Takhat Shri Harmandir Gurudwara Committee’s secretary MS Dhillon said he was sceptical about reopening the gurudwara even during the unlock phase. “At this point of time, staying indoors is the best for everyone,” Dhillon said.
Even though, public transport has been allowed, auto-rickshaw drivers said the number of passengers has gone down by 80%. Ranjay Kumar, an auto-rickshaw driver, who was waiting at Patna Junction from Friday morning, hardly received three passengers. “Lockdown is never a good idea for people like me, who are dependent on people. Even if I get saved from Covid-19, I will die of hunger,” he said.
Union law minister and Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, on the other hand, said AIIMS- Patna should be declared a Covid-19 dedicated hospital to handle the rising number of Covid cases. In a statement issued on Friday, the Union minister also urged state health minister Mangal Pandey to increase testing and isolation facilities in Bihar.
The Patna Sahib MP urged residents to strictly follow the lockdown imposed by the district administration. “People should stay indoors and wear masks while going out. They should also maintain physical distance for their safety,” he added.