Bangladesh extends virus lockdown to May 16

The Bangladesh government has extended its current pandemic restrictions to May 16, taking into account the current pandemic situation, but eased the ban on public transport.

Intra-district and intra-city buses will be allowed to operate from May 6, but long-haul inter-district buses, trains and launches will remain closed, according to the notice issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday.

The notice states that employees of government, semi-government, autonomous and private organsations, banks and non-bank financial institutions must not leave stations during Eid holidays.

Bangladesh on Apr 14 imposed what came to be known as the ‘strictest lockdown’ in which people were barred from going outside, except for an emergency, in an effort to contain a massive spike in COVID cases.

The restrictions shut public and private offices and public transport services except those providing emergency services. But factories were allowed to remain open if they followed health regulations.

Shopping malls and stores were also initially shut down, but this restriction was later eased on Apr 25.

Though long-haul journeys by road, sea and train are still closed, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, or CAAB, has resumed domestic and international flights, with restrictions on travel from some high-risk countries.

Banks can only carry out transactions from 10 am to 1 pm and only a limited staff are allowed at their branches.