Authorities have decided to enforce a week-long lockdown in Natore and Singra municipality areas starting Wednesday to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Natore Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahriaz took the decision at a virtual meeting on Monday night. State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak attended the meeting.

The lockdown will continue till June 15, officials said.

During the week-long lockdown, all modes of public transport will stay off the roads. However, the movement restrictions won’t apply on vehicles providing emergency services.

Moreover, all shops, markets and restaurants will remain closed, except for grocery stores and pharmacies. This is to allow people to buy their daily essentials and medicines from their local grocers and chemists, respectively.

According to the health authorities, the infection rate in the district is 62 percent and the number of Covid-19 cases is on the rise in the municipality areas.

On Monday, the local administration launched a mobile antigen test drive to detect the community-based infection.

The health authorities have also set up Covid test booths, said Civil Surgeon Kazi Mizanur Rahman.