The ongoing two-week lockdown, which started on July 23 to curb transmission of coronavirus, and which was supposed to end on August 5, might be extended for one more week, said sources in the government.
The sources, however, said that the lockdown might be relaxed for some specific sectors, keeping offices and other emergency sectors open on a limited scale.
According to sources, the government is going to extend the lockdown following the recommendations of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the deterioration of COVID-19 pandemic situation as well.
The move will be finalized at an inter-ministerial meeting scheduled for today (Tuesday), official sources said.
The government has already called the inter-ministerial meeting to review the situation of COVID-19. The online meeting will be held at 11:00 am. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque will chair the meeting. A letter in this regard was sent to the authorities concerned by the Cabinet Division on Monday.
Although the ongoing lockdown is scheduled to end on August 5, the government already allowed the Readymade Garment (RMG) sectors to open their factories from August 1.
According to officials concerned of the Ministry of Public Administration, during the period of extended lockdown, government, non-government and private offices will be allowed to open on a limited scale. Public transport will also be allowed to move on a limited scale in compliance with the health guidelines.
Earlier on July 31, ABM Khurshid Alam, the Director General of the DGHS said that they recommended to the Cabinet Division for extension of the ongoing lockdown for 10 more days.
Following the recommendation by the DGHS, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain on the same day told reporters that the government had also been considering the recommendation made by the DGHS.
But, he said they would be able to make a decision in this regard on August 3 or August 4.
He also said that 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”, said the State Minister.
Furthermore, the government is also thinking of allowing offices, transports and other sectors to resume their activities in phases and on a limited scale in compliance with the health guidelines.
