Shutdown now extended till April 11
In a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus, the government yesterday extended the ongoing shutdown until April 11.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular in this regard.
Earlier, the government announced the closure of all public and private offices from March 26 to April 4 after which all public transport services were suspended.
In line with the latest announcement, the apex court would also issue a notification to soon extend holidays at all the courts.
Talking to The Daily Star, Saifur Rahman, spokesperson for the Supreme Court, said holidays at all the courts, including the Appellate Division and the High Court Division, would be extended to contain the virus outbreak.
Meanwhile, the cabinet division issued a notification suspending all programmes to celebrate the Bangla Noboborsho to avoid public gatherings. Baisabi, the prime festival celebrated in the CHT region marking the Bangla new year, has also been suspended.
EMERGENCY, UTILITY SERVICES WILL REMAIN OPEN
As per the latest circular of public administration ministry, utility services such as water, electricity, gas, fire service, telephone, the internet will remain open during the shutdown.
Agriculture products, fertiliser, insecticides, foods, goods, medical equipment, daily essentials, kitchen markets, restaurants, drug stores and hospitals would also remain out of the purview of the shutdown, the circular added.
The circular also read that offices can be opened for urgent necessities. Pharmaceuticals and export-oriented mills and factories will remain open if necessary.
Operation of rail, buses and other transport would start gradually for the sake of people's livelihood.
Bangladesh Bank would issue necessary directives to keep banks open on a limited scale for the sake of people during the shutdown.
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