In a circular on Friday, the Education Ministry said that the decision will be effective for all educational institutions, except the Qawmi madrasas.

The government shut schools and educational institutions on March 17 last year after the country confirmed its first Covid-19 cases on March 8. The closure was extended several times, most recently until Jan 16 this year.

Also read: Educational institutions won’t reopen until Corona situation improves: PM

Friday’s circular said the closure has been extended to protect the students from the coronavirus infection.

During this extended period, students will remain at home.

Bangladesh’s coronavirus caseload stood at 526,485 on Friday with 7,862 fatalities – a mortality rate of 1.49%. So far, 471,123 patients – 89.48% – have recovered.

Also read: Educational institutions likely to reopen in March: Quader

Since Jan 1 this year, the number of new cases, number of daily fatalities and recoveries has fallen.

Covid-19 vaccine on the way

Things are looking bright in the fight against coronavirus.

Bangladesh approved the emergency use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on January 7, allowing Beximco Pharmaceuticals to bring doses from the Serum Institute of India, which is manufacturing the vaccine.

Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh allows emergency use of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

Under the deal, Bangladesh will import 30 million doses from Serum in the next six months. “If everything goes well, we will get the vaccines in mid-January,” Health Minister Zahid Maleques said.

On December 28, Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company Globe Biotech got approval from the DGDA for manufacturing Covid-19 vaccine for clinical trials.

Also read: Covid-19: Globe Biotech gets nod to manufacture vaccine for clinical trial

Health Minister Maleque on Thursday said they are ready to start a vaccination drive once vaccines come from abroad.

Also read: Offices of educational institutions will remain open: Ministry