The government has extended the ongoing countrywide lockdown till 15 July as the Covid-19 situation continues to worsen in the country.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday afternoon.

On June 6, the Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification extending the lockdown till 16 June midnight to break the chain of Covid transmission.

All government, semi-government, autonomous private offices, banks and financial institutions will remain open maintaining health protocols.

Also read: Alarming Covid surge in Bangladesh, 60 more die

Restaurants can operate at half capacity from 6am to 10pm, although all the tourist spots, resorts, community and entertainment centres will remain closed during the period.

Social, political and religious gatherings will remain prohibited during the lockdown.

Public transport will also operate at half of their capacities maintaining health guidelines.

Also read: International vaccine institute to be set up in Bangladesh: Hasina

The government was forced to impose a nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 to contain the spread of Covid-19 as the situation worsened in mid-March.

Since then, the restrictions were extended several times considering the situation.

Bangladesh recorded 837,247 cases and 13,282 deaths from the deadly disease as of Wednesday.