strict lockdown
Public transports go off streets, malls shut as ’ strict lockdown’ begins in Bangladesh
Public transports went off streets and shopping malls remained shut in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh as the government has enforced a strict lockdown ‘on a limited scale’ from Monday in an effort to bring the Covid situation under control.
The alarming surge in Covid cases and deaths caused by highly transmittable Delta variant prompted the government to announce the 3-day lockdown ahead of an all out lockdown from July 1.
Read:Auto-rickshaw, light vehicles workers demand food, cash support amid 'lockdown'
Rickshaws and private vehicles were seen dominating the Dhaka streets on the first day of the lockdown.
People including office-goers were seen waiting on roads for a long time for rickshaws or motorbikes to reach their destinations.
Traffic police at different points are stopping vehicles and quizzing drivers and passengers, said traffic inspector of DMP Asaduzzaman (Mohakhali).
The Cabinet Division issued a circular over the fresh lockdown on Sunday.
The lockdown will remain in force from 6 am on June 28 to 6am on July 1, it said.
Movement of all modes of public transport except goods-laden vehicles and rickshaws will remain restricted and the members of law enforcement agencies will ensure it through regular patrolling, it said.
All shopping malls, markets, recreation centres, resorts, community centers, tourist spots will remain shut.
Read: Bangladesh ready to go into ‘strict lockdown’ from Monday
Hotels and restaurants will remain open from 8am to 8pm with online/takeway service.
Government and private offices will run with only necessary staff and they will arrange transport for office staff.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair on Saturday evening.
The repeated lockdowns have become a threat to the livelihoods of many in Bangladesh while disrupting travel and social life.
However, experts hope that stricter rules will bring positivity rates and fatalities down as the country is battling to get a second coronavirus wave under control.
The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 pandemic on Thursday recommended imposing a "nationwide shutdown" for two weeks considering the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
A total of 119 people died in Bangladesh in 24 hours until Sunday morning, the biggest figure since the pandemic hit the country.
Read:No lockdown for health sector: Minister
During the period, 5,268 more people came out positive with Covid-19 in 24,400 sample tests, said a handout issued by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The country’s daily positivity rate fell to 21.59% Sunday from Saturday’s 22.50%.
Nationwide lockdown from Monday, 'all out lockdown’ from July 1
The government will enforce an all out lockdown from July 1 as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases and fatalities with the highly infectious Delta variant playing havoc.
Meanwhile, the country will go into the earlier announced strict lockdown ‘on a limited scale’ from Monday.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair on Saturday evening.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain confirmed the development to UNB.
“Nationwide lockdown will begin on Monday. However, for zonal closing of bills of the banking sector and various government offices at the end of the month, the maximum restrictions will kick in from July 1," he said.
Details on the lockdown will be known after the government issues a notification on Sunday, the minister added.
However, public transport will be suspended from Monday according to sources attending the meeting.
Alsor read: COVID-19: Daily caseload drops on back of reduced tests, as positivity keeps rising
Export-oriented factories are likely to be exempted from the restrictions, they said.
Earlier on Saturday, sources within Bangladesh Garment Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) confirmed the news to UNB citing a circular issued by the organisation.
Export oriented factories to remain open amid ‘strict lockdown’
Readymade garment and all other export-oriented factories will remain open during the nationwide ‘strict lockdown’ which is set to begin on Monday.
Sources Bangladesh Garment Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) confirmed the news to UNB citing a circular issued by the organisation.
“Export-oriented factories will not remain under the purview of the lockdown. However, strict health protocols should be maintained in keeping the factories open.” the circular read.
Also read: Army may be deployed to enforce lockdown, hints state minister
Earlier on Saturday, Bangladesh Garments Buying House Association sent an application to the Cabinet Secretary Khondokar Anwarul Islam requesting permission to keep the factories operational on a limited scale during the lockdown.
The leaders of the organisation also said that they have received a positive response from the government.
Earlier on Friday, Press Information Department Principal Information Officer Surath Kumar Sarker said that the government is going to enforce a new nationwide "strict lockdown" on Monday.
Also read: Strict nationwide lockdown in Bangladesh from Monday as Covid situation worsens
The restrictions will remain in place for seven days unless extended.
Government and private offices, barring those of emergency services, will remain closed during this period.
All modes of transport, except those carrying emergency goods, will also remain suspended and nobody will be allowed to go out unless there is an emergency.
Strict nationwide lockdown in Bangladesh from Monday as Covid situation worsens
The government is going to enforce a new nationwide "strict lockdown" on Monday, as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases and fatalities with the highly infectious Delta variant playing havoc.
The restrictions will remain in place for seven days, said Press Information Department Principal Information Officer Surath Kumar Sarker.
Government and private offices, barring those of emergency services, will remain shut during this period.
All modes of transport, except those carrying emergency goods, will also remain suspended and nobody will be allowed to go out unless there is an emergency.
Also read: From bad to worse: Bangladesh reports 108 new Covid deaths, 5,869 cases
However, the restrictions will not apply to the media, ambulances, and vehicles used for medical purposes.
The Cabinet Division will come up with details regarding the "strict lockdown" on Saturday, Surath said.
The repeated lockdowns have become a threat to the livelihoods of many in Bangladesh while disrupting travel and social lives.
However, experts hope that stricter rules will bring positivity rates and fatalities down as the country is battling to get a second coronavirus wave under control.
Also read: Bangladesh may see dreadful Covid peak ahead of Eid, experts warn
The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 pandemic on Thursday recommended imposing a "nationwide shutdown" for two weeks considering the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
Community transmission of the highly transmissible Delta variant of coronavirus might be the reason behind the current Covid-19 situation in the country, said the committee.
It used the example of India to emphasise that no step other than a "complete shutdown" might be enough to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
Bangladesh has seen a spike in coronavirus infections and fatalities in recent weeks, with the country reporting its second-highest fatalities – 108 new deaths – and 5,869 cases Friday. It has now seen 878,804 cases and 13,976 deaths.
Kushtia enters week of strict lockdown till June 27
As the Covid-19 situation keeps worsening, a weeklong strict lockdown has been imposed in Kushtia district till June 27.
The lockdown went into effect at midnight, said a mass notification issued by the district’s Deputy Commissioner Md Saidul Islam.
Read: Week-long lockdown in Kushtia municipality areas to contain Covid spread
According to the notice, all commercial institutions, factories, shops, shopping malls, restaurants and tea-stalls are ordered to remain closed during the lockdown.
However, kitchen markets and shops selling daily commodities can stay open following the health guidelines from 7am to 2pm except the cattle markets.
Besides, tourist spots, resorts, community centers, and recreation centers are ordered to remain shut during this time.
All inter-district and long distance public transport services will remain suspended during the lockdown period.
Law enforcement and other emergency services will be exempted from the public transport restriction, said the notice.
Read:Busy bazar sealed off in Kushtia to prevent Covid transmission
People are advised to stay home except for emergency needs, to wear masks and follow health rules during movement.
The decisions were taken during an emergency virtual meeting of the district's Covid-19 prevention committee.
Earlier, the district administration in two phases imposed restrictions only within the Kushtia municipal area from June 11.
Meanwhile 9 more people died of coronavirus in the district in the past 24 hours.
Of them eight died in Kushtia General Hospital and One in Khoksa Upazila Health Complex.
Read: Covid-19: Restrictions imposed in Kushtia
Besides, 83 more tested positive 256 sample tests, according to a handout provided by the district administration on Sunday night.
Considering the alarming turn of the situation, Kushtia General Hospital with 250 beds has been decided to turn into Covid-19 dedicated hospital.
13 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) on Wednesday recorded 13 more deaths from Covid in 24 hours.
Of the deceased, five were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining eight showed symptoms of the virus, hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yeazdani said.
Read:RMCH sees 12 more Covid deaths in 24 hrs
Eight of the deceased were from Rajshahi, while four belonged to Chapainawabganj district and one was from Kushita district.
A total of 161 people have died of Covid-19 in Rajshahi division in the last 16 days, according to the hospital authorities.
In the past 24 hours, Shamim said, as many as 48 people have been admitted to the corona unit of the hospital.
Currently, some 344 people are undergoing treatment at the hospital against its capacity of 305 beds in the corona unit.
Read:Lockdown/Lock-in: Rajshahi taken off rail network to fight surge in infections
"We are doing our best and providing treatment to as many Covid patients as possible at the hospital after arranging additional beds," said Shamim.
To deal with the pressure of Covid patients, the hospital authorities have added 34 beds, including two ICU beds, to the hospital's existing capacity, he said.
Besides, a letter has been sent to the Department of Health Services to send 15 more physicians to the hospital. Some 15 doctors have joined the hospital in the past week.
Read:16 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
On Tuesday, the health authorities in Rajshahi reported 162 new cases after testing 373 samples in two laboratories of the district. The positivity rate has reached 43.44 percent, which was 30.17 percent on Monday, officials said.
Amid a sudden surge in Covid cases in Rajshahi, the district administration imposed a 14-day strict lockdown on June 4.
RMCH sees 12 more Covid deaths in 24 hrs
Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) recorded 12 more deaths from Coronavirus infection in 24 hours until 6 am on Tuesday.
Among them, eight were Covid-19 patients while the rest four died after showing Covid-19 symptoms at the hospital, said director of the hospital Brigadier General Shamim Yeazdani.
Read:Lockdown/Lock-in: Rajshahi taken off rail network to fight surge in infections
Of the deceased, three were from Rajshahi, seven from Chapainawabganj, one each from Natore and Naogaon districts.
A total of 148 people have died of Covid-19 in Rajshahi division in the last 15 days till Tuesday morning as situation is worsening in different border districts.
Shamim Yazdani said 58 people were admitted to the Corona unit of the hospital in 24 hours till Tuesday morning.
Of them, 39 are from Rajshahi, eight from Chapainawabganj, four from Natore, five from Naogaon and two from Kushtia.
Read: Lockdown in two Natore municipal areas extended by a week
Forty-three people were discharged from the hospital after recovery during the period.
Besides, 325 people are undergoing treatment against 273 beds at the Corona unit of the hospital.
Of them, 189 are from Rajshahi, 82 from Chapainawabganj, 17 from Natore, 26 from Naogaon, four from Pabna, six from Kushtia and one from Chuadanga.
Read: 14-day lockdown in Damurhuda to contain Covid spread
However, the hospital authorities are providing treatment after arranging additional beds, said Shamim.
As the coronavirus situation in Rajshahi kept worsening the district administration imposed a strict lockdown from 5pm on June 4 till June 17 midnight.
Covid-19: 12 patients die at RMCH in a single day
Twelve people including five women died of Covid-19 at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in 24 hours until 8 am on Monday as infections and deaths continue to soar in the frontier districts.
Among them, ten were Covid-19 patients while the rest two died after showing Covid-19 symptoms at the hospital, said director of the hospital Brigadier General Shamim Yeazdani.
Read: Lockdown/Lock-in: Rajshahi taken off rail network to fight surge in infections
Of the deceased, three were from Rajshahi, six from Chapainawabganj, two from Natore and one from Meherpur district.
A total of 137 people have died of Covid in the last 13 days till Monday morning.
Read:16 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
Forty-four people were admitted to the Corona unit of the hospital in 24 hours till Monday morning and of them, 33 are from Rajshahi, five from Chapainawabganj, two each from Naogaon and Pabna and one each from Natore and Kushtia districts.
Twenty-six people were discharged from the hospial after recovery during the period. 307 people have been undergoing treatment at the hospital against 271 beds at the Corona unit of the hospital.
Read:Covid-19: Strict restrictions imposed in Rajshahi, parts of Khulna, Naogaon
However, the hospital authorities are providing treatment after arranging additional beds, said Shamim. “Only those who need oxygen facilities are being admitted to the hospital due to shortage of beds,” he said.
As the coronavirus situation in Rajshahi kept worsening the district administration imposed a strict lockdown from 5pm on June 4 till June 17 midnight.
13 more lives lost to Covid-19 at RMCH
Thirteen more patients died of Covid-19 at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in the last 24 hours until 8 am on Sunday.
Among them, six were Covid-19 patients while the rest seven died after showing Covid-19 symptoms at the hospital, said director of the hospital Brigadier General Shamim Yeazdani.
Read:Lockdown/Lock-in: Rajshahi taken off rail network to fight surge in infections
Two of the deceased hailed from Rajshahi, six from Chapainawabganj, three from Naogaon and one each from Natore and Kushtia districts, he added.
So far, 125 people, including 70 Covid-19 patients, have died at the Corona unit of the hospital from June 1 till June 13.
Forty-two new patients have got admitted to the hospital in the past 24 hours while 35 have been discharged.
294 people have been undergoing treatment at the hospital against 271 beds at the Corona unit of the hospital.
Read:12 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
However, the hospital authorities are providing treatment after arranging additional beds, said Shamim.
As the coronavirus situation in Rajshahi kept worsening the district administration imposed a strict lockdown from 5pm on Friday till June 17 midnight.
After an emergency meeting on Thursday night, deputy commissioner of the district Abdul Jalil announced the lockdown.
Read: 8 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
During the lockdown all public transports and shops in the district will remain closed except emergency and medical services.
Besides, passenger train services between Rajshahi and other parts of the country remained suspended.
15 more die of Covid-19 at RMCH in a single day
Fifteen more people died of Covid-19 at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in 24 hours until 8 am on Friday as infections and deaths continue to soar in the frontier districts.
A weeklong lockdown was announced from 5pm on Friday by the local administration to stem the spread of the virus.
Of the deceased, eight were from Rajshahi, six from Chapainawabganj and one from Natore, said deputy director of the hospital Dr. Saiful Ferdous.
Read: 12 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
Of the deceased, seven were Covid-19 positive patients and others were under treatment with Covid-like symptoms, he said.
Dr. Saiful said in the last 11 days 108 patients died in the hospital’s Covid-19 unit.
Forty-three new patients were admitted to the hospital’s Coovid-19 unit during the period.
Besides, 297 patients were registered against 271 beds of the Covid-19 ward until Thursday morning, said the hospital authority.
Read: 16 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
Of the patients, 142 were from Rajshahi, 110 from Chapainawabganj, 24 from Naogaon, 15 from Natore, and three each were from Kushtia and Pabna.
Eighteen patients are undergoing treatment the ICU unit of the hospital.
Rajshahi under strict lockdown
As the coronavirus situation in Rajshahi kept worsening the district administration imposed a strict lockdown from 5pm today till June 17 midnight.
After an emergency meeting on Thursday night, deputy commissioner of the district Abdul Jalil announced the lockdown.
Read:Covid-19: Strict restrictions imposed in Rajshahi, parts of Khulna, Naogaon
During the lockdown all public transports and shops in the district will remain closed except emergency and medical services.
Besides, passenger train services between Rajshahi and other parts of the country to remain suspended from Friday.