Offices to remain open till Aug 3, markets to close at 7pm, restrictions on public movement extended

The government today decided to allow the offices and other workplaces to operate on a limited scale till August 3.

The decision came today when the health directorate reported the highest single-day 64 deaths from the deadly novel coronavirus. The death toll from the virus rose to 1,847 and infections to 145,483 as of Tuesday.

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain confirmed The Business Standard about the extended time.

Besides, the shops and markets will remain open from 10am to 7pm daily maintaining health guidelines.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet Division, in a gazette notification, said that the restriction on public movement to curb the Covid-19 spread has been extended till August 3. 

No one will be allowed to go out of their home between 10pm to 5am during this time. However, going out for transport to the office, buying medicine, medical emergency and burial of dead bodies will be allowed. 

The gazette notification also urged everyone to wear masks while outdoors and maintain strict social distancing. Anyone violating this will be brought to justice. 

It also asked to arrange handwashing facilities, as well as hand sanitisers at the entrance of shopping malls. The vehicles that enter the shopping mall complex will also need to be disinfected. 

Public transports will also remain operational during this time following proper health guidance. 

The notification further said that no educational institutes will be allowed to take classes during this period. All educational activities have to be continued online. The institutes will only be allowed to do administrative tasks. 

No events involving mass public gathering will be allowed to be organised within this time. Jamaat is mosques can be organised while following health guidance provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. 

Zone-based lockdowns have to be implemented by following the "Covid-19 zone-based containment implementation guide" from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Availability of necessary groceries has to be ensured in locked-down areas. DGHS will provide necessary guidance regarding this. 

City corporations will coordinate the lockdown situation in areas under them. District Administration will coordinate the lockdown situation in district-level.

The notification further says that local administration can give permission to cattle haats ahead of Eid-ul-Adha following health directives from the Health Service Division. 

Sick officials, pregnant women and those at highest risk of Covid-19 contamination have been asked to not attend office during this time. Offices have to follow directives from the Health Services Division.