The Bangla Academy has reduced the daily duration of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair again to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
From Wednesday onwards, the book fair will be held for only three and a half hours everyday.
According to the new decision, the book fair will start at 3pm everyday and will end at 6:30pm. However, on weekends, Friday and Saturday, the book fair will start at 11am and end at 6:30pm.
Bangla Academy Director (Sales, Marketing and Reprint) Dr Jalal Ahmed, also member secretary of the fair organizing committee, confirmed this information to Dhaka Tribune, adding that the decision has been taken as per the instruction of the Prime Minister’s Office.
He said: “Until now, there is no possibility of closing the book fair. As we have already taken the decision to continue the book fair, we can’t close it down.”
On Monday, the government imposed a new set of 18 restrictions to reduce the spread of Covid-19 as the number of deaths and infections are rising rapidly in the country.
The restrictions limit public gatherings at tourist spots, cinema halls and theatres, also discouraging fairs and exhibitions of all kinds.
Earlier on Tuesday, after receiving instructions from the government, the Bangla Academy took the decision to start the Ekushey Book Fair at 3pm and end at 8pm instead of 9pm.
