The Cabinet Division has issued a gazette notification, relaxing all conditions of the ongoing strict lockdown for eight days – ahead of Eid-ul-Azha – to facilitate business and public movement. People have been asked to stay alert, wear masks and follow all other health guidelines.
However, a two-week strict lockdown will be on from Jul 23 6:00 a.m. till Aug 5 midnight.
Jul 23-Aug 5 lockdown: What is and isn’t allowed
The Cabinet Division has issued a gazette notification, saying that a two-week countrywide strict lockdown will start from Jul 23, 6:00 a.m. after an eight-day break.
The Cabinet Division has issued a set of directives for the after-Eid lockdown:
1. All government, non-government and autonomous organisations will remain closed.
2. Operation of all vehicles, including public transport (river, rail and road), and domestic flights, will be suspended.
3. Shopping malls and shops will remain closed.
4. All tourist spots, resorts, community centres and recreation venues will remain closed.
5. All industries and factories will remain closed.
6. No public, political, religious gatherings can be held.
7. The Supreme Court will issue necessary instructions for courts.
8. Bangladesh Bank and financial organisations will issue separate directives to ensure banking, insurance and financial services.
9. Government employees will not leave their work areas and will conduct all official activities online.
10. Law enforcing agencies, emergency services such as transporting agricultural products (seed, fertiliser, pesticide, machines, etc.), food and food grains carrying vehicles, relief distribution, health services, Covid-19 vaccination, collection of national ID, revenue-collection activities, power, water, gas/energy services, telephone and internet (government, private), media (print and electronic), private security services, postal services and visa-related activities, functions of city corporations/municipalities (cleaning and management of street lights), pharmacy and pharmaceuticals will be out of the purview of the restrictions and the staff will be allowed to move about after showing ID cards.
11. Finance Division will issue directives on offices of the division, district and upazila-level accountants.
12. Goods-carrying trucks, covered vans, river vessels, freight trains and ferries will be out of purview of the restrictions.
13. Offices of air, sea, river and land ports will remain open.
14. Kitchen stuff and other essentials can be sold from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., maintaining health rules. Market authorities and local administration will ensure it.
15. No one will be allowed to go out except for emergencies (buying medicine, daily commodities, medical treatment, and burial). Legal action will be taken against violators.
16. Vaccine recipients can go out to take vaccine but they must show vaccine cards.
17. Hotels and restaurants will remain open from 8am to 8pm only for takeaway and online services.
18. International flights will be in operation. Passengers can come to airport, showing their tickets.
19. Ministry of Religious Affairs will issue instructions over prayers at mosques, maintaining health guidelines.
20. Bangladesh Armed Force will deploy necessary number of army personnel under "Aid to the Civil Power" to ensure field-level effective patrolling during the lockdown. District magistrate will finalise the matter after discussing with local army commander.
