This year's Eid will be different from that of previous years, in the same way that other recent festivals have been different from previous years. Considering the gravity of the coronavirus outbreak, Bangladesh has ordered a ban on all inter-district transport services during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
"No one will be allowed to return to their home districts during the Eid holidays. Inter-district transport services will remain suspended during the period," the Cabinet Division announced on Monday.
In the announcement, the government also issued a set of guidelines and yet again extended the general holiday, this time till May 16. This is the fifth consecutive extension to the shutdown that began on March 26.
Thousands of people usually travel home to their families for the Eid holidays, but this is not going to be possible this time. However, they will still be able to do their Eid shopping, as shopping malls will stay open till 5pm every day while maintaining health guidelines, according to the Cabinet Division order.
The directives came hours after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said people would celebrate Eid with their families, but without crowding.
“We have to ensure the Joy of Eid,” she said, directing local administrations to assist people with Eid celebrations.
The prime minister gave the order in a videoconference with public representatives and officials of eight districts in Rangpur division on the present Covid-19 situation in the country.
Sheikh Hasina said: “People will do shopping before Eid. It should not be stopped. You have to assist them.”
The prime minister also said the government has already started opening some shops for the holy month of Ramadan, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, everyone should be careful and not gather in crowds.
She also said district level cottage industries, markets and small enterprises may be reopened, ensuring public health safety in the holy month of Ramadan, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, to keep the wheels of the economy running.
The government will provide cash assistance before Eid to mitigate the suffering of those rendered jobless amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We want to give cash assistance ahead of Eid to those who have lost their jobs due to the nationwide shutdown driven by the coronavirus pandemic, in order to minimize their plight … we will do it to ensure their food security,” she said.
The Cabinet Division in its order said movement of the public between districts and upazilas will be restricted during the general holiday that has been extended till May 16.
District administrations and law enforcement agencies will cautiously monitor the restrictions, it added.
According to the notification, all authorities and people of the country must follow the health guidelines on the coronavirus, prescribed by the Health Services Division.
PM hints at opening up economy in phases
The Bangladesh government is going to ease the ongoing shutdown in phases, primarily by reopening government offices as well as some industries and factories.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said government offices and courts will reopen to a limited extent, considering the suffering of the people.
So far, confirmed cases of coronavirus infection have passed the 10,000 mark in Bangladesh with 182 fatalities recorded.
"Some industries and factories will be opened to prevent an economic crisis. They should all maintain health guidelines to be safe from Covid-19,” said Sheikh Hasina.
Manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and export-oriented industries can remain open ensuring safe health practices, social distancing, and following government guidelines, according to the cabinet notification.
After analyzing the situation, certain industries and factories, agriculture, and production will be opened in phases, the notification adds.
All ministries, divisions and affiliated offices involved with certain sectors can be kept open, if necessary.
The countrywide soft shutdown will restrict movement of people after 6pm and people have been asked not to move from one area to another unless they wish to face strict legal action.
All types of public transport will remain suspended and educational and religious institutions will also remain closed.
Emergency services such as power, water, gas, fire, cleanliness, telephone, and internet services will remain beyond the purview of the holidays, alongside transportation of food, medical equipment, germicides, agricultural goods, fertilizer, industrial goods, and other essential products or daily necessities.
Kitchen markets, food shops, pharmacies, and hospitals will remain open.
Two months of interest free borrowing
Sheikh Hasina said during the videoconference that the government has decided to allow borrowing at zero interest for two months.
"We have taken the decision as coronavirus hampered our production in these months. All types of borrowing industrialists will get this facility,” she said, adding that more details will be disclosed later.
On Sunday, Bangladesh Bank issued a circular suspending interest on all types of loans for the months of April and May, in order to help borrowers overcome the economic hit of Covid-19.
As per the circular, borrowers will not pay interest for two months against their loans payable to banks.
Tk750 crore for emergency workers
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government has allocated Tk750 crore for the welfare of emergency workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
She also expressed her gratitude and thanked health workers, local administrations, and law enforcement agencies who have continued to work during the outbreak.
“We have already said that working professionals will get health support from the government if they get infected with Covid-19. If anyone, unfortunately dies from the infection, the government will take care of their families. Financial aid will be distributed to their families in keeping with the number of family members. We have already allocated Tk750 crore for this purpose,” she added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Dhaka Medical College (DMC) 2, a new section of the medical college, is now prepared and ready to provide treatment to coronavirus patients.
The government has also taken initiatives at the district level to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients, she added.
The prime minister also urged media workers, including journalists, to maintain safe health practices at their workplaces.