The government has issued an 11-point directive, including the suspension of public transport services, to contain the alarming spread of coronavirus cases in the country.
The Cabinet Division issued the gazette on Sunday which will remain in force from 6 am on April 5 till 12 am on April 11.
According to the gazette, all modes of public transport (road, river, rail and domestic flights) will remain suspended during the period.
Emergency services, carrying of goods, production, overseas passengers and returnees will remain out of the purview of the restriction.
The offices, staffers and vehicles of the organizations providing emergency services including law enforcement, relief distribution, health services, power, water, gas, fire services, port activities, telephone, and postal services will remain out of the purview of the restriction.
All government offices, non-government, autonomous, private offices and court will be allowed to carry limited number of employees with their own transports to perform emergency duties.
Industries and factories will remain open and the ongoing construction works will continue.
The respective industries must take measures to carry their employees with their own transports.
The directives are following:
1. All public transport services (roads, waterway, railway and domestic flights) will remain suspended. This directive will not be applicable to goods-laden vehicles, production system and emergency services.
2. Offices, employees and transports involved in law and order and emergency services — relief distribution, health service, electricity, water, gas/fuel, fire service, activities at ports (land, river and sea), telephone and internet, telecommunication and other services will remain out of the purview of the restriction.
3. All government/non-government/autonomous offices, courts and private offices can facilitate commute of their employees to work using their own transport on a limited scale. Industries and factories can do the same for their workers. Factories under BGMEA and the BKMEA have to take measures regarding field hospital/treatment for their workers.
4. None can go out from 6:00pm to 6:00am except for emergencies (medicine and daily essentials, treatment and burial/cremation etc.).
5. Only sale and supply of foods (takeaway/online) can be operated by restaurants.
6. All shops, including shopping malls, will remain closed. But shops can continue wholesale and online services. In that case, they have to maintain health guidelines.
7. Buying and selling kitchen items and daily essentials will be done only in open spaces. In that case, the authorities concerned/local administration will ensure the services.
8. Bangladesh Bank will give directives to continue bank activities on a limited scale.
9. Armed forces will take measures to establish field hospital in a suitable location in Dhaka.
10. District and field-level administration will take necessary measures to implement the directives and law enforcement agencies will patrol areas on regular basis across the country.
11. Legal action will be taken if anyone violates these directives.