Bangladesh has extended the ongoing shutdown till May 16 as the country continues to see a surge in confirmed cases.
The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a gazette notification in this regard on Monday.
According to the notification, all the authorities and people of the country must strictly follow the health guidelines issued by the Health Service Division.
Readymade garments, pharmaceutical, and export-oriented industries may be kept open ensuring health facilities, social distancing, and following the guidelines of the government.
As well as all the ministries, divisions and affiliated offices can be kept open if necessary.
With the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, shops and malls can remain open till 5pm in a limited fashion and must ensure social distancing.
However, inter-district travel has been cut-off so that people are discouraged to visit their village homes for the Eid.
To ensure social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had announced public holiday since March 26. The shutdown has been extended five times till now.
According to the previous announcement, the holiday was extended till May 5.
During the period, no one is allowed to leave their houses after 6pm. Movement of people from one area to another is restricted and strict legal action would be taken against people who violate this directive, as per the directive.
People must stay at home to be safe and to curb transmission of the virus. Educational and religious institutions, and public transport, would remain off. Government officials cannot leave their respective stations during the shutdown
The authorities have allowed emergency services such as power, water, gas, fire, cleanliness, telephone and internet services to remain beyond the purview of the holidays.
Also, transportation of food, medical equipment, germicides, agricultural goods, fertilizers, industrial goods, and other essential products or daily necessities would remain unhindered. Kitchen markets, grocers and departmental stores, pharmacies, and hospitals would remain open.
