ZCZC
BSS-22
COVID-19-SHUTDOWN-EASE
Bangladesh opts for restricted reopening after protracted shutdown
DHAKA, 28, 2020 (BSS) – The government today issued an order allowing restricted reopening of offices and transport services from May 31 ending a nationwide shutdown since March 26 despite fears of rapid spread of coronavirus while health officials recorded highest number of COVID-19 infections in a day.
“All government/semi-government, autonomous and private offices will remain open in a limited scale under their own management (from May 31,” read the cabinet division order which came as the nationwide shutdown is set to expire on May 30.
But the order exempted “vulnerable people, sick employees and pregnant women” from attending offices and directed that all meetings would be held through virtual media debarring physical presence of people in such conferences unless the situation demanded so in extraordinary cases.
The government also to allowed “restricted reopening” of public transport services like passenger buses, trains and ferries with “limited number of passengers” who must wear protective masks while operators were asked to strictly follow the health directives against COVID-19.
It said private aviation operators too could restore their services under their own management maintaining the health guidelines.
BSS/SAH/AR/1700hrs