Lockdown to extended, Decision on Monday

An eight-day (April 14 to April 21) nation-wide lockdown is going on to curb the coronavirus infection. The government is considering to extend the lockdown for another week.

Meanwhile, the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 has recommended increasing the lockdown to control the situation. During the holy month of Ramadan, there is also pressure from various professionals to ease the lockdown and keep shops and shopping malls open. A virtual inter-ministerial meeting will be held on Monday (April 19) over the lockdown, keeping in view all the issues including the rise of coronavirus infection. There will be an overall discussion based on information. Then a decision will be made about Lockdown.

When asked if the lockdown to be extended, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told risingbd on Sunday (April 18) that there are recommendations to increase the lockdown. However, a decision will be taken after an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday.

“The type of outbreak and infection rate varies in different areas. After an information-based discussion on all issues, the recommendation will go to the Prime Minister. Then she will decide on the lockdown,” he added.

The state minister said, “If all of us wear masks and maintain social distance, there would not have been so many infections. Everyone should wear a double-layer mask and maintain physical distance for their own protection until coronavirus infection rate goes to zero.”