Bangladesh
Hard Lockdown Lockdown likely to be extended after August 5
Dhaka, July 31: The hard lockdown imposed to restrict the spread of coronavirus infection, is likely to be extended after the ongoing one ends on August 5. However, in some cases relaxation may be allowed. Discussions are going on about which issues can be relaxed. The decision will be finalized on August 3 or 4, according to information from Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division sources on Saturday (July 31).
The government has been trying to control the coronavirus infection in the country for months by imposing lockdowns in phases.
Restrictions were relaxed for eight days ahead of Eid al-Adha. After that, the government imposed strict restrictions from 6 am on July 23 to midnight on August 5.
All types of public transport, government and private offices are closed due to restrictions. All types of industries are closed except for food production-processing, leather transport-preservation and pharmaceutical sectors. Meanwhile, the government has announced the opening of export-oriented factories from August 1. However, shops and shopping malls will remain closed. People have been asked to stay indoors as much as possible and go out only if absolutely necessary.
Even with restrictions in place, the coronavirus situation if far from satisfactory in the country, with 218 people dying in 24 hours between Friday and Saturday. The Directorate General of Health Services has recommended extending the ban for another 10 days.
An official in the cabinet department said the government had to consider the economy and people's livelihoods along with the transition situation. In the current situation, there is no alternative to increasing the restrictions. So even if the restrictions are increased in the future, in some cases relaxation is also being considered. In which cases relaxation is coming, it is not yet final. The matter is still under discussion.
"We will decide according to the situation. For now, we are opening export-oriented industries. That too to a limited extent," state minister for public administration Farhad Hossain said when asked whether the restrictions would increase after August 5.
"We have not yet decided what will happen after August 5. The Prime Minister has not yet made a decision. We will try to announce the decision on August 3. If not on that day, I will inform the decision on August 4," he added.
Reacting to the DGHS' recommendation to increase the restrictions, the lawmaker said, "We know they recommended. We are thinking about the options we have to reduce the infection. If we have to open some office, what will be the manpower of that office? We control it as much as we can. Our goal is to control the coronavirus."
