The government has decided to allow shops and malls to remain open till 4pm from May 10 maintaining health guidelines considering Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
Cabinet Division Joint Secretary M Mushfequr Rahman told Dhaka Tribune that customers and sellers will have to maintain social distance and other health guidelines.
The government had initially allowed shops and malls to operate until 5pm, which was later revised, according to the official.
A series of conditions have been imposed for businesses to operate ahead of the Eid-ul-Fir.
Malls will have to install adequate hand-washing stations and provide customers with hand sanitizers at the entrance.
All vehicles entering the premises will have to be disinfected and businesses must close by 4pm, the Cabinet Division said in a circular.
Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has long been pressing the government to open shops and malls as traders are hard pressed due to the prolonged shutdown.
The association's president Helal Uddin said the decision to open malls ahead of Eid would help both traders and shoppers in this pressing time due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He, however, urged shop owners to maintain social distancing and hygiene rules during business hours.
