News Desk :
The government Monday extended the current pandemic lockdown by a week to Jul 14 at the advice of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19.
“All current restrictions have been extended in consideration of the current state of the pandemic,” the Cabinet Division said in a notice issued on Monday.
The government had imposed a ‘strict lockdown’ on Jul 1 amid a dramatic surge in Covid cases and deaths amidst a second wave of the pandemic in Bangladesh.
Despite the of lockdown, Bangladesh has seen record numbers of coronavirs cases and deaths.
The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 had previously recommended a 14-day lockdown on Jun 24.
At least 14 days of lockdown were necessary to properly curb the spread of the disease, according to public health experts.
During the lockdown restrictions, public, private, semi-public and autonomous offices are closed, public transport on road, rail and water is suspended, alongside machine operated vehicles.
Besides, shopping malls, markets and other stores are closed during the lockdown.
Moreover, all tourist venues, resorts, community centres and entertainment centres are closed and large social, political and religious gatherings are forbidden.
Those working with emergency goods and services can move freely after inspection of institutional identity papers.
On the other hand, freight vehicles may move freely, international air travel remains operational, passengers may travel to and from the airport, subject to inspections, air, sea, river and land ports may operate, factories may remain open if they follow proper health procedures, wet markets and stores selling necessities may remain open from 9 am to 5 pm, restaurants and hotels may sell food through online delivery or as take-away from 8 am to 8 pm, people may only leave home due to an emergency, such as purchasing medicine and other necessities, to seek medical care, or for burials during the pandemic restrictions.
Those scheduled to receive the coronavirus vaccine may do so, subject to inspection of their vaccination card.
Banking services will be open from Monday to Thursday, from 10 am to 1:30 pm.
People will be allowed to pray at mosques if they follow health protocols.
