Although the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has recommended for the extension of the ongoing lockdown for 10 more days, the government is contemplating to find an alternative to the lockdown, said sources in the government.
Another source said, if the ongoing two- week-long lockdown, which has started from July 23 and is supposed to end on August 5, is extended, it might be relaxed for some specific sectors. Various offices, transports and some other sectors might be allowed to open at a limited scale in compliance with the health guidelines prescribed by the government.
Meanwhile, the government on Saturday already decided to reopen all the industries related to readymade garments from today (Sunday).
With a view to taming the transmission of coronavirus pandemic, the government imposed a 14-day- long lockdown. But the number of deaths as well as the rate of infection of coronavirus is increasing day by day despite the lockdown .
In the circumstances, ABM Khurshid Alam, the Director General of the DGHS on Friday said that they had recommended the extension of the ongoing lockdown for 10 more days.
“As the infection rate is increasing, we are very much worried how we would be able to handle the situation”, said the DG of DGHS and continued as saying that that the situation might deteriorate.
He said considering the reality, it has been recommended for the extension of the lockdown for at least another 10 days.
But, in the meantime the government on Saturday allowed all the RMG owners to resume work in their factories from today.
Asked about the government decision on the lockdown, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain on Saturday said that it had not yet been decided whether the lockdown would be extended or not.
“There are different types of recommendations from different sectors. The DGHS has recommended the extension of the lockdown while the RMG and many other sectors want the withdrawal of the lockdown. In this circumstances, the decision will be taken considering the situation”, said the State Minister.
He also said the government is also discussing whether there is any alternative to the lockdown.
“The decision of the government would be announced as per the decision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by August 3”, State Minister Farhad Hossain added.
The government is also thinking of allowing offices, transports and other sectors to resume their activities in phases and at a limited scale in compliance with the health guidelines.