Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has permitted the river vessels to operate until further notice to carry factory workers.

The authorities took the decision on Sunday afternoon considering the pressure of Dhaka-bound workers of RMG and export-oriented factories, BIWTA said.

Earlier, the government allowed the operation of public transport till 12:00 noon on Sunday.

The BIWTA requested vessel owners, masters, drivers, staff and passengers to follow health guidelines during the period.

The vessel movement was suspended from July 23, 6 am as the government reimposed a countrywide ‘stricter’ lockdown till August 5, midnight as per a Cabinet Division’s order.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the BIWTA, however, allowed vessels to carry passengers at half of their capacities on condition of maintaining health guidelines from July 14 midnight to 6am on July 23.