Covid-19: Bangladesh likely to end general holiday on May 31

The government is likely to end the ongoing nationwide general holiday to contain Covid-19 in Bangladesh and allow all offices and businesses to resume operation on May 31. 

A circular in this regard is going to be released on Thursday, sources at the Ministry of Public Administration told Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday. 

At the initial stage, all public, private and autonomous offices can be opened on a limited scale from May 31 to June 15 but everyone has to follow the 13 health directives issued earlier.

On March 23, as a part of preventive measures against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, the government declared a general holiday in Bangladesh from March 26 and later extended the shutdown in phases till May 30.

Educational institutions to stay shut till June 15 

All the educational institutions across the country will remain closed until June 15 to curb the spread of coronavirus.

However, online classes will continue, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said on Wednesday evening, adding that markets and shops will remain open only from 10am to 4pm.

“The prime minister has directed to operate public transports on roads and waterways as well as trains with limited passengers from May 31,” said the state minister.

“Really we do not know how many more days we have to fight against the Covid-19 virus, and no medicine has yet been discovered. Therefore, we are going to open all types of government, semi-government and private offices,” he said.

But every office must maintain health protocols, he added.

Pregnant women, the elderly and the sick have been asked to refrain from attending offices during this period. “All ministries and offices will remain open but they will operate on a limited scale,” he clarified.

“The embargo on people’s movement from 8pm to morning will remain unchanged,” the state minister added.

He said the decision was taken to allow economic activities on a limited scale, adding that everyone will have to maintain health rules during this time.

Airlines can operate flights under their own management following health guidelines.

“No rallies or mass gatherings will be allowed ... mosques and other places of worships will continue to run following previously issued guidelines,” he said.

Farhad Hossain clarified that the directives will remain in force until June 15. 

Covid-19, a severe acute respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus, has claimed 544 lives and infected 38,292 people in Bangladesh, as of Wednesday.