All shops and markets in the port city except medical stores have been ordered to close by 8 pm from Wednesday as the administration imposed new restrictions to combat increasing corona virus.

The decision was taken on Tuesday considering the health risks posed by Covid-19, said deputy commissioner Mominur Rahman.

All types of public gatherings including mezban, wedding parties will remain suspended during this period in the district.

Restaurants and eateries will operate at half the capacity.

At least 12 mobile courts will conduct drives to ensure that people wear masks and follow health protocols. Anyone violating the restrictions face penalty,

The devotees have been asked to maintain social distance while offering prayer and enter the mosques only after hand sanitization.

Also read: 8-day lockdown in Fatikchhari begins tomorrow

The community centres located in city corporation areas and different upazilas have been warned to refrain from arranging any marriage or other social programmes and if found involved in violating the order they will be penalised.

The entrance of Patenga sea beach will also remain shut from Wednesday as no one can enter the area, said DC.

Besides, the mobile court drives of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will ensure the health guidelines on public transport.

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr. Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, said so far 662 people have died of Covid-19 and of them, 643 died in the city while the rest died in different upazilas of the district.

Covid-19 situation

As the Coronavirus situation continues to worsen in Bangladesh creating new hotspots outside capital Dhaka, health authorities logged 4,846 more new cases with a positivity rate of 19.36% in 24 hours until Tuesday morning.

Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 76 more deaths, 4,846 fresh cases

The positivity rate in the country rose to 19.36% from Monday’s 19.27 per cent, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Besides, the deadly virus claimed the lives of 76 more people during the 24-hour period, bringing the national tally to 13,702.

The fresh cases pushed up the total caseload to 8,61,150, the handout added.

However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.59%.