Bangladesh imposes seven-day lockdown after record COVID-19 surge
The Bangladesh Government on Saturday decided to impose a week-long nationwide lockdown from Monday as COVID-19 cases and deaths surged across the country. Bangladesh on Friday logged 6,830 new cases of the coronavirus, the highest count in a day, taking the tally of infections to 6,24,594. The death toll climbed by 50 in 24 hours to 9,155, according to data released by the government.
Road Transport Minister made the announcement at a media briefing
Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader made the announcement at a media briefing in Dhaka on Saturday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. "In a bid to arrest the spread of the coronavirus, the government has decided to enforce a seven-day lockdown from Monday as the coronavirus cases and deaths are surging across the country," Quader, also the General Secretary of the ruling Awami League, said.
Industries, mills will operate; offices, courts to remain closed
However, the order does not apply to utility and emergency services. "Factories will remain open and workers can work shifts by following hygiene rules," the report said. "Every office and court will be closed during this lockdown but industries and mills will continue their operation on rotation," State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune.
We have to be very careful: PM Sheikh Hasina
Addressing the parliament on Thursday over a surge in COVID-19 infections, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "We had been able to contain the virus but in the last few weeks, the COVID-19 cases are increasing throughout the world. We have to be very careful."
Mills have been kept open for the benefit of workers
Asked why industries will not be closed, the minister said, "If we close the mills then the workers may have to leave their workstations and head for home." Bangladesh on Wednesday registered a massive jump in new COVID-19 cases with 5,358 infections, the highest single-day increase since the pandemic broke out in the country in March last year.
PMO has issued an 18-point directive
On Monday, Prime Minister's Office issued an 18-point directive, including a ban on all public gatherings in areas with high rates of infections. It asked to limit gatherings in all types of events, including social, political, and religious and said that buses will not be allowed to carry passengers more than half of their seating capacity and have to maintain safety COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Two-week ban on air travelers from EU and 12 countries
Bangladesh has already imposed a two-week ban on air travelers from European Union and 12 other countries including Bahrain, Brazil, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, South Africa, and Turkey, media portal Aljazeera reported.
Over 5.5 million doses of Covishield have been administered
Bangladesh started a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive on February 7 and has administered more than 5.5 million doses of Oxford-Astrazeneca Covishield vaccine so far. Bangladesh had approved the procurement of 30 million doses of Covishield from India, in early January this year. On January 20 this year, Bangladesh received two million Covishield doses as a gift from India.
