<span style="color: #222222;">Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has extended the lockdown till July 31 in wake of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases detected in the state. As per the new state directives issued by Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh, all religious places, educational institutions, coaching classes, shopping malls, hotels, cinema halls, multiplexes, theatres, entertainment parks, bars, spa and saloons, gymnasiums and swimming pools will remain closed till July 31 across the state.<br />'' </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that the relaxations provided to those sectors and industries for economic activities outside the Containment Zones shall continue and will be reviewed time to time. Mr Soren said that we have achieved success in prevention of spread of the COVID-19 virus but more precautionary steps must be taken further for a period of a month.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The decision came out of the review meeting concluded late night yesterday ahead of the increasing the number of COVID-19 cases in the state.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile the new directives issued by the Jharkhand government also state that all movement except for essential services shall remain prohibited from 9 pm to 5 am in morning.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Inter-state and intra-state bus services will also not be operational during the Lockdown. Private vehicles, taxis and cabs require a mandatory e-pass for entering in the state. Use of face masks and face covers while stepping out of home, in public places, work places and during use of transportation is a must.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">No congregation for any political, sports, social, entertainment, educational, cultural or religious work will be allowed. Use of tobacco and its products and spitting in public places is prohibited and is punishable. </span><br />''