Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Sunday that the government has taken the decision to gradually relax the nationwide shutdown so that people can manage their lives and livelihoods during the coronavirus pandemic. The nationwide shutdown has impacted a vast majority of the population, with daily wage earners suffering the most.
The government has been working to provide relief goods to those who lost their livelihoods due to coronavirus lockdown. Various government organisations have been running food distribution programmes for the past two months.
The premier said that the government has placed special importance on ensuring food security as part of taking precautionary measures in advance to offset the possible famine the world is likely to face due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The nationwide shutdown has impacted a
vast majority of the population, with daily
wage earners suffering the most.
The government is conscious of the adverse effects of the lockdown on the economy and therefore took the decision to slowly ease restrictions in order to revive the economy.
Despite the lifting of some restrictions, the prime minister emphasised the importance of social distancing during this time to prevent the transmission of coronavirus. Currently, Bangladesh has over 14,000 confirmed cases and the number is increasing at an alarming rate.
Though the government has decided to lift the lockdown in phases, large gatherings and crowds must be prevented at all costs. All public spaces must be strictly monitored and special care must be taken to ensure social distancing on public transports.
The authorities must carry out disinfection campaigns at local levels and try to raise awareness in order to prevent a spike in the number of cases after lockdown is lifted. Information must be disseminated on maintaining proper hygiene and the importance of social distancing.
