In the wake of growing Covid-19 cases, the government has increased the fares of public transport by 60 percent across the country, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

The order will remain in force for the next two weeks, said Obaidul Quader while talking to reporters at a press briefing.

Also read: Proposed partial lockdown in areas with high Covid-19 cases: Health Minister

Passengers will have to pay the additional bus fares from Wednesday, he said.

Earlier on May 31, 2020, the government raised the fares of inter-district and long-haul  (Dhaka, Chittagong cities and adjoining areas) buses and minibuses by 60 percent in order to compensate bus owners carrying 50 percent less passengers to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday issued an 18-point directive for the next two weeks in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Bangladesh.

Also read: 25-30% bus seats must be kept empty, no standing passengers: Quader

The Health Ministry has also proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Coronavirus transmission rates, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said Monday.

Partial lockdown, closure of amusement centres, limiting wedding ceremonies, picnic, religious gatherings, strengthening quarantine system, limiting passengers in public transports, and limiting attendance in offices are some of the recommendations.

The ministry also proposed ensuring ‘no mask no service’ policy, increasing numbers of mobile courts and imposing fines on health guideline violators.

Bangladesh on Monday recorded its highest-ever single day infection (5,181) since the first cases were reported on March 8 last year. 

The daily infection rate jumped to 18.38 percent from 17.65 percent on Sunday.

Also readNot heading back into lockdown: Quader

The total caseload rose to 600,895 while Bangladesh also reported 45 deaths, raising the national tally to 8,949, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).