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;