However, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the apex trade body of the garment sector, said the factories started production with limited workers, especially with those living near their factories.

Contacted, BGMEA Senior Vice-president Faisal Samad told UNB that around 700-800 garment factories have reopened till Tuesday with limited workers.

He said buyers have asked the garment factories, especially those failed to make shipments due to the countrywide shutdown, deliver their consignments by May 5-10.

They are opening their garment factories with limited workers for the sake of ensuring shipments, Faisal said.

He said BGMEA has already formed six teams to monitor whether the factories are maintaining social distancing and health guidelines.

Besides, an advisory council has been formed consisting health specialists to prevent the coronavirus transmission, the BGMEA leader said.

When his attention was drawn to the issue that workers are returning to Dhaka from outside, he said it is their own decision but factories started production with limited workers who are staying near the factories.

The government on April 23 extended the general holidays until May 5 in a bid to tackle the worsening coronavirus situation in the country.

This time, factories related to medicine and export-oriented industries were allowed to run maintaining proper safety and hygiene of the workers.

Also read: RMG factories could be operated with workers now staying in Dhaka: Minister

On March 23, the government declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4, aiming to prevent the transmission of coronavirus. Later, the holidays were extended for five times.