Bangladesh extends coronavirus lockdown to Apr 14

The government has extended the nationwide lockdown by three days to Apr 14 in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus that has infected 88 people and killed nine so far.

The public administration ministry issued an order extending the shutdown on Sunday.

The ongoing shutdown was set to be lifted on Apr 11 but it has been extended to Apr 13 and merged with the national holiday to mark Pahela Baishakh -- the Bangla New Year -- the following day, Public Administration Secretary Shaikh Yusuf Harun told bdnews24.com.

However, the order does not apply to utility and emergency services, including the fire service, power, gas, water and telecoms.

Vehicles transporting agricultural products, fertilisers, pesticides, fuel, newspapers, food products and medical equipment along with kitchen markets, food shops, dispensaries and hospitals won't be affected by the shutdown.

According to the shutdown order, offices may remain open in cases of emergency while factories producing pharmaceutical export-oriented products can also remain operational.

Rickshaws, vans and other vehicles will gradually be allowed to ply the roads for the benefit of people from lower-income groups. Bangladesh Bank will also direct banks to run the service on a limited scale for the convenience of the people, according to the order.

The government imposed a nationwide lockdown, initially from Mar 26 to Apr 4 before extending it to Apr 11, to limit the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Educational institutions have also been ordered shut until Apr 9 with the HSC and equivalent exams being deferred.