Govt extends lockdown for one more week

The government has extended the ongoing lockdown restrictions for one more week, till 5 May, considering the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

 

"The decision has been taken considering the Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh and crisis in neighbouring India, and following advice from public health experts," State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told The Business Standard today.

 

"A gazette notification will be issued tomorrow in this regard," the state minister said after an inter-ministerial meeting.

 

 

However, markets will remain open from 10am to 8pm daily maintaining health guidelines.

 

All other restrictions, imposed during the strict lockdown will remain effective during the extended period.

 

Public transports will remain suspended as part of the lockdown measures.

 

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) today confirmed 97 new virus deaths in 24 hours, raising the toll to 11,150. Covid cases increased by 3,306 during the same period ,taking the tally to 748,628.

 

Earlier on Sunday, the government closed the border with India for 14 days, starting from Monday, as Covid-19 has taken a dangerous turn in the neighbouring country. India's second wave has hit the country with such ferocity that hospitals are running out of oxygen, beds and antiviral drugs. Many patients are being turned away due to lack of space for them.

 

On 14 April, Bangladesh enforced the countrywide complete lockdown when 1 out of 5 tested people came with Covid-19 positive result.

 

Later on 20 April, the lockdown was extended by another week till 28 April as Covid-19 infections keep surging here. The decision to extend lockdown was taken following recommendation of the national technical advisory committee on Covid-19.

 

Lockdown restrictions at a glance-

 

All government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices will be closed and all employees must take position at their work stations. However, this rule is not applicable to air, sea, river, land ports and their concerned offices;

Banks and stock markets will remain open on a limited scale.

All modes of transports (road, sea, rail, domestic and international flights) will be closed. This order is not applicable in case of transportation of commodities, production and emergency services. However, special and chartered flights will be in operations.

Industries and factories will be run by their own management complying with the health guidelines. However, the organisations have to ensure transportation of their workers. 

Law enforcement and other emergency services such as agricultural elements (fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, equipment etc), crops and transportation, relief distribution, health services, covid-19 vaccination, electricity, water, gas/petroleum, fire service, port activities (land, river, sea), telephone and internet (government- private), media (print and electronic media), private security systems, post and other emergency and essential products and services related offices, their employees and vehicles are not included in the ban;