Bangladesh extends corona lockdown until June 16

Empty roads around Shapla Chattar at Motijheel Dhaka during lockdown.

Dhaka, June 6 : The government has extended the ongoing lockdown until June 16 as there has been no substantial improvement in the Covid-19 situation.
The Cabinet Division issued a circular in this regard on Sunday.
Keeping all the earlier directives and restrictions effective, the government has added some new restrictions, the circular says.
According to the circular, all the tourist spots, resorts, community centres and recreation centres will remain closed during the lockdown.
It says people must refrain from holding social (post-wedding ceremonies, birthday party and picnics) , political and religious programmes that may cause public gathering.
Besides, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to keep open from 6am to 10pm with half of their capacities.
Public transport services, including inter-district buses, are allowed to run, also at half of their capacities.
All concerned, including passengers, will have to maintain health protocols like wearing masks, the circular adds.
The Deputy Commissioners of the districts which are at high risk are allowed to take necessary steps to contain the virus spread in their areas in consultation with the technical committees, the circular mentions.
The authorities concerned have been asked to take necessary steps in this regard.
Earlier, the government had extended the lockdown till June 6.  
As coronavirus cases kept growing at an alarming rate since mid-March, the government had imposed a ‘loose’ nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread.
Later, a ‘stricter’ lockdown was announced from April 14 to 21. Then the lockdown had been extended several times considering the situation.
On April 23, the Cabinet Division issued a notice allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on a condition that they would maintain safety protocols properly.
Covid situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh registered 38 more Coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours until Sunday morning, pushing up the total fatalities to 12,839.
Besides, 1,676 more people came out positive in 15,613 sample tests carried out during the period.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month, reports UNB.