Special Correspondent :
The government might extend its countrywide closure beyond April 25 in a bid to contain the continued spread of the coronavirus. But the closure may be eased in some areas that have avoided the outbreak, official sources said on Saturday.
They said, the country sees a steep rise in confirmed cases, prompting concern about whether the ongoing closure can stem the outbreak.
The countrywide closure came into force at the end of the day on March 24 and is set to expire on April 25.
Since the lockdown was enforced, only essential services have been operational. Those include water, electricity, gas, telephone, internet, health services, fire services, newspaper, grocery stores, kitchen markets, drug stores and municipal services.
All regular shops, commercial establishments, factories, workshops, offices and markets have been closed and transport services have been suspended. Construction activity was also halted during this period.
When contacted, Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Md. Asadul Islam said, “We want to enforce the closure strictly to keep people in their homes because maintaining social distancing protocol is the key to contain the virus. People are maintaining it but not strictly. Without stringent practice of stay home order, we will not be able to prevent the contagion.”
Given the current situation and growing number of patients, he said, “The Health Ministry would recommend the government to extend the closure further in a bid to contain the virus.”
The number of people infected in Bangladesh reached 2,144 as of Saturday and the death toll from the virus stood at 84, according to the Health Ministry.
Regarding the closure, Public Administration Secretary Sheikh Yusuf Haroon said, “If we consider the current corona situation, the ongoing public holiday may need to be extended. But no decision in this regard is yet taken. The Prime Minister will take the decision.
“The current coronavirus closure may be extended as the spike in confirmed cases raised alarm over the pandemic control,” a health ministry official told The New Nation yesterday asking not to be named.
He said the closure could be extended by one more week to May 2 considering the prevailing corona situation in the country. But in some cases the restriction may be relaxed.
