The government has decided to extend the suspension of public transport services until April 25 in light of the coronavirus situation in the country.
The Roads Transport and Highways Division issued a press release in this regard on Saturday.
At the same time, additional passengers will also not be allowed to commute on trucks or other goods-laden vehicles on the road during the period.
However, trucks and covered vans carrying food, medicines, emergency services, fuel, and perishable goods are exempted from the travel ban.
Transportation for relief goods along with mass media will be exempted from the travel ban as well.
Meanwhile, train service across the country will also be shut down until further notice, said Railway Ministry Secretary Mofazzel Hossain.
However, special train service will be operated, if necessary, according to railway ministry.
On March 24, Bangladesh Railway suspended all passenger train service to curb coronavirus outbreak.
On March 26, Bangladesh imposed a travel ban on all modes of transport – road, air, and waterways, except for emergencies – across the country to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
On April 1, the ongoing nationwide transport shutdown was extended till April 11 to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The country’s Road Transport Act considers any motorized vehicle transporting paying customers as public transport.
Therefore, all commercial passenger vehicles such as buses, taxis, auto rickshaws, and other human haulers (such as Nasimon, Korimon) fall under the purview of the restriction. People can only move around using rickshaws as per the act.
