Coronavirus: Shutdown may be extended for another term

As the number of coronavirus cases in the country is growing and the global situation worsening, the government is likely to extend the general holidays, aiming to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

The ongoing nationwide general holiday will end on April 25.

As the number of deaths and infected patients have been increasing day by day, the government is considering to enhance the shutdown for another term, according to sources said.

State Minister for Public Administration Ministry Farhad Hossain said the government may extend the ongoing shutdown as the situation worsening. However, Prime Minister will herself take the decision considering welfare of people and the country.

He said PM is likely to discuss the matter in the parliament session today (Saturday). We will inform you what directives come from PM.

Officials of Health Ministry said it needs to extend general holidays to stem the spread of coronavirus outbreak. For this, we are recommending to the authorities concern to extend the shutdown.

Health secretary Md Asadul Islam said the current situation of coronavirus demands extension of the ongoing closure. We will recommend for this.

He further said we want strict enforcement to ensure staying people at home. As prevention of coronavirus, our main arms is isolation and social distance.

Sheikh Yousuf Harun, secretary of the public administration ministry, said the government may extend the ongoing holidays. But no final decision has yet been taken. Prime will take the decision considering all aspects and situation.

On March 26, the government first introduced a 10-day shutdown till April 4, which was later extended till April 11, and then again till April 14.

In the latest move, the government has declared a general holiday on April 15 and 16, followed by the weekend.

The general holiday was extended from April 19 to April 23, which means, with the weekend, it will continue till April 25.

As of Saturday, Bangladesh has recorded 84 deaths amid 2,144 cases from Covid-19, a pandemic announced by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dhaka/Naymuddin/AKA