The Bihar govt has issued strict guidelines for political rallies in the run-up to Assembly polls amid the Covid pandemic. Masks will be mandatory at at all indoor and outdoor rallies along with a cap of 200 people in closed halls and six feet of social distancing. Leaders have been asked to avoid hugging, shaking hands and organisers have been asked to ensure availability of paper napkins and proper santisation of the venues. The Election Commission, meanwhile, doubled the broadcast time allotted to recognised political parties in Bihar on Doordarshan and All India Radio for "non-contact based" campaign.