The ongoing lockdown will continue until May 16 while the intra-district public transport services will be allowed to resume from May 6.
The decision was taken on Monday at the weekly cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The Prime Minister virtually joined the meeting, held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the local administration will conduct massive drives in the markets and shopping malls of their respective areas to ensure the strict enforcement of health guidelines.
“If there’s any deviation in following the protocols, the respective markets will be closed, if necessary,” he said.
The cabinet secretary said tough action will be taken if anyone is found outside home without masks.
Anwarul Islam said police and magistrates will supervise every market of the country. “If they find the number of people roaming in any market without masks is higher that market will be shut down.”
He said the Shop Owners Association has assured the government that they would cooperate with the government. “They’ll also monitor whether people are following the health protocols.”
Anwarul Islam mentioned that launch and train services will remain shut till May 16.
He said there will be no extra holidays except the three-day for Eid-ul-Fitr vacation.
Regarding the operation of intra-district public transport services, he said the health guidelines must be maintained also in public vehicles.
“If there’s any violation, we’ll close the operation of public transport services…public transport owners also assured us of the following of guidelines,” he said.
