The government has extended the restrictions on public movement and gathering for another week in a bid to stem the spread of Covid-19.
The restrictions have been extended from of April 28 midnight to May 5 midnight, said a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday.
The gazette included six more directives imposing restrictions on people’s movement alongside the existing ones:
1. No one will be allowed to enter the country through land, river and air routes from India other than goods-laden vehicles. However, only Bangladeshi people, who are now in India and their visas have expired, can enter the country with special consideration subject to obtaining permission clearance from the Bangladesh High Commission in India.
In this case, the Health Services Department, Public Safety Department, Security Services Department, Ministry of Shipping and the concerned deputy commissioners will take necessary steps to strictly follow the rules and regulations made by the Department of Health regarding the 14-day quarantine of those entering Bangladesh.
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2. Shopping malls can be kept open from 10am to 8pm by ensuring health guidelines.
The management committee of the concerned market or organization including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labour and the trade organizations concerned will take necessary steps regarding the observance of health guidelines. Legal action will be taken against those to be found violating the instructions.
3. The upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr prayers should be carried out in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
4. Returnees from Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia and China with non-Covid-19 and vaccination certificates can quarantine for 14-day at their homes. However, they have to inform the police station concerned about their arrival and quarantine period.
5. Returnees from the mentioned countries with only non-Covid-19 certificate have to stay in the government facilitated institutions
Physicians will then examine them within 3-5 days and give them permission to be home quarantined for 14-days. However, even in this case, they have to inform their respective police stations.
6. Passengers from other countries will be quarantined for 14 days at a government-designated hotel at their own expense.
Authorities concerned have been requested to give instructions to take necessary action over the above mentioned matters, the notice added.
As coronavirus cases continued to rise alarmingly since mid-March, the government imposed “loose” nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread. Later, a “stricter” lockdown was declared from April 14 to 21 which was then extended to April 28.
The government, however, lifted some of the restrictions, including on shops and shopping malls.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported 78 more coronavirus-related deaths and 3,031 new cases on Tuesday morning, showing a downtrend in both the death toll and caseload.
The country witnessed over 100 deaths daily from April 16 to 19 and on April 25 as the second wave of the virus hit Bangladesh.
The daily infection rate slipped to 12.51% on Tuesday from Monday’s 12.82% while the mortality rate remained static at 1.49%.
So far, 751,659 cases and 11,228 deaths have been confirmed, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on March 18.
