No outdoor celebration on Pahela Baishakh this year

The government has asked everyone not to hold any mass gathering and outdoor celebration on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar, to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

However, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs called on the people to welcome the Bangla New Year 1428 on April 14 with virtual festivities. 

A notification issued by the ministry on Wednesday said, "In line with the instructions issued by the Cabinet Division, following the current Covid-19 situation, it is requested that events be organised on online platforms if possible. Mass gatherings should be avoided at any cost." 

All programmes had also been cancelled last year to avoid large gatherings to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

Bangladesh is now seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths for the last few weeks, with hospitals struggling to provide treatment to the increasing number of coronavirus patients with their limited resources.