The Bangladesh government has warned that it'll be forced to impose a full lockdown in the country if people fail to adhere to the recently issued Covid-19 restrictions.

"We urge all the people of this country to abide by the recently issued 11-point Covid-19 guidlines," Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Saturday.

"If these instructions are followed, there will be no need for a lockdown in the country. If another lockdown is imposed, people and the country will face losses again," he said.

He, however, made it clear that the government could impose a complete lockdown in Bangladesh "if these guidelines are not followed".

The Health Minister was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration function of a CT scan and Dialysis unit at Manikganj General Hospital in the morning.

Amid the growing concern over the new Omicron variant of to coronavirus, the government on January 13 came out with the restrictions on movement of people and public transport vehicles.

Read:Don’t leave your workplaces: Health Minister to expats

The restrictions are:

•       All kinds of public gatherings, including social programmes, political and religious events will remain suspended until further notice.

•       People have to wear masks everywhere, including shops, shopping malls, markets, hotels and restaurants. Otherwise, s/he will face legal action.

•       The mask use should be ensured at all places, including offices and courts, and mobile court drives will be conducted to prevent the violation of health guidelines.

•       People should show their Covid-19 vaccination certificates while taking food at restaurants and staying in residential hotels.

•       Students above 12 would not be allowed at the educational institutions without having Covid-19 vaccination certificate after a designated date to be fixed by the Education Ministry.

•       Increasing the number of screening at all ports, including land ports, airports and maritime ports. The crew members of ships should not be allowed to go outside while arriving at a port while only truck drivers are allowed to enter land ports with trucks. Besides, visitors along with foreign-bound passengers should not be allowed to enter airports.

•       Public transport vehicles, including buses, trains and launches, can operate at half of their capacities, while drivers and helpers of all modes of vehicles should have Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

•       Passengers coming from abroad should show Covid vaccination certificates and should undergo Rapid Antigen tests upon arrival.

•       Imams will make people aware about the health guidelines and the use of masks at all mosques during the 'khutba' of Jum'a prayers and the deputy commissioners and UNOs concerned will ensure that.

Also read: No Covid lockdown right now in Bangladesh: Health Minister

•       Health and Family Welfare Ministry will take necessary steps to ensure Covid-19 vaccination and accelerate the activities of the booster dose. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry will assist them in publicity.

•       In the case of any special situation in any place, the local administration can take steps in consultation with the authorities concerned.