The government is going to extend the ongoing lockdown for another week until May 23 to stem the spread of Covid-19.

“The ongoing restrictions will be extended for another week and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given approval to it. A notification will be issued on Sunday,”  State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB.

On May 3, the government extended the countrywide lockdown until May 16.

Also read: Extended lockdown extends daily bottlenecks for commuters

It also allowed the movement of public transport services in cities from May 6.

The nationwide lockdown, imposed on April 5 to break the chain of Covid-19 infections and fatalities, has been extended several times to limit public movement and contain the surge in daily infections.

On April 28, the government issued six fresh directives imposing restrictions on people’s movement as the country is struggling to contain the Covid-19 transmission.

Also read: Covid surge in Bangladesh: Experts say lockdown likely to pay off

The Cabinet Division issued a notification extending the ongoing lockdown from April 28 to May 5.

The government also allowed reopening of shops and shopping malls ensuring health guidelines, the notification said.