The government has extended the ongoing lockdown by another week until June 6 as there has been no substantial improvement in the Covid-19 situation.

The Cabinet Division issued a circular in this regard on Sunday.

Read: Covid-19 claims 38 more lives in Bangladesh; new cases 1,043

Earlier, the government had extended the lockdown till May 30 after allowing public buses to run at half of their capacities in the country.

All concerned, including passengers, will have to maintain health protocols like wearing masks, said a circular issued on May 23.

Besides, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to keep open, also with half of their capacities.

The authorities concerned have been asked to take necessary steps in this regard.

Read:Schools, colleges to reopen on June 13: Dipu Moni

As coronavirus cases kept growing at an alarming rate since mid-March, the government had imposed a ‘loose’ nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread.

Later, a ‘stricter’ lockdown was announced from April 14 to 21. Then the lockdown had been extended several times considering the situation.

On April 23, the Cabinet Division issued a notice allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on a condition that they would maintain safety protocols properly.

Covid situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh registered 38 more Coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours until Saturday morning, pushing up the total fatalities to 12,549.

Read: Bangladesh braces for worst Covid outbreak by June-end: Experts

Besides, 1,043 more people came out positive in 13,184 sample tests carried out during the period.

Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.