He said, 452 people have been infected with coronavirus during the last 24 hours and the total number of corona cases in the province has reached 129,013.
Political rivalries between the communist prime minister and his former Maoist allies hit a new peak as the country battles a severe coronavirus wave with acute shortages of oxygen and vaccines.
"Considering the current situation, there is no room for relaxation. We do not want [a repeat] of the situation from last June and July," he said.
Elaborating his government's decision to change business timings, he said "We had said earlier that markets would be allowed to remain open till 8 pm, but we are reverting back to 6 pm. A notification in this regard will be issued today."
Reports in the Indian press suggested officials at the Board of Control for Cricket in India had considered bringing forward their series in England, which is due to begin on August 4 and end on September 14 to create a viable window.