The government on Monday issued an order extending restrictions on public activities and movement across the country until August 31 in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The move comes as the existing nationwide measures of similar pattern will expire in the evening.
The Cabinet Division issued the notification mentioning that the restriction would continue from August 4 to August 31. Weekly holidays will also be under the purview of the restrictions.
The move of extending the restriction on public movement comes at a time when people are rampantly moving around even without wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing.
In the 10-point directive, the notification said that without urgent needs— like necessary purchasing or selling including medicines, medical services, movement towards workplaces, and funeral rituals— none will be allowed to go outside home from 10:00pm to 5:00am during the period.
Everyone must wear face masks, maintain social distancing and health guidelines outside home, the notification said, adding that violators will face legal actions.
Markets, shops and shopping malls must be closed by 8:00pm while hand-washing facilities, sanitizers, vehicle disinfecting services must be ensured at entries of shopping malls.
Government, autonomous, private offices, banks and financial institutions, trade and business, mills and industries and service sector institutions must follow the health directives issued by the Health Services Division while the vulnerable, sick and pregnant employees must refrain from joining workplaces.
Public transports and other modes of transports must follow the health guidelines issued by Health Services Division
No educational institution and coaching centre would be allowed to remain open during the restriction.
Rallies, meetings, mass gathering, and any functions will remain suspended during the restriction while the people could offer their prayers at mosques and other places of worship maintaining the guidelines issued by the religious affairs ministry and the health guidelines.
To contain the spread of the coronavirus, restriction in the highly infection areas would be maintained implementing zoning system.
City corporations would coordinate the restriction in the city areas and the district administrations will coordinate the overall activities outside the city areas.
Local government division, information ministry and religious affairs ministry, district or upazila administrations and health division will continue public awareness activities.
