The government is considering to extend the ongoing restrictions on public movement and gathering in a bid to stem the spread of Covid-19.
Health experts also suggested that the current restrictions should continue to reduce the risk of Covid-19 in the country.
In a gazette notification issued on Wednesday, the current restrictions have been extended till May 5.
The experts further said the government should ensure that the recent downward trend in Covid-19 cases continued. To make that possible, the government should continue the ongoing restrictions on public movement, they said.
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According to the sources, the government is considering to allow public transport to operate on the road in a limited capacity if the restrictions are extended. The decision has not been finalized yet.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said: "We are still at risk, and not sure when we will be risk-free. We are now considering how reasonable it would be to allow everything.
“Nothing has been finalized. It depends on the situation at the time. We have to decide what to do considering the situation in India. Infection and death of people must be prevented,” he said.
Bangladesh has already closed its border with India to prevent the highly infectious Indian variants of coronavirus from entering the country.
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If the current restriction are not extended, then there will only be three working days before Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. They are May 6, 9, and 11.
Factories, shops and markets are already open in the country, on the condition of full compliance with the hygiene rules. However, public and private offices and public transport are closed, except for emergency services.
Bangladesh is seeing a downward trend in Covid-19 cases as the country registered the lowest daily test-positivity rate in six weeks – 9.39% – on Thursday. The country recorded 2,341 new cases and 88 deaths in the 24-hour period between Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
