Wide-ranging restrictions or collectively 'lockdown' has been extended for another week in Khulna, as in other parts of the country, to curb the increasing coronavirus infection rate in the district.
The decision was taken at the Coronavirus Prevention Committee meeting on Friday in presence of Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain, City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq and Divisional Commissioner Md. Ismail Hossain.
Read:Khulna Corona Hospital scrambles for space as Covid patients soar
From Saturday shops, shopping malls, restaurants, etc have been instructed to remain open from 9 am to 5 pm.
People have been instructed not to leave their homes without emergency needs.
Electric three-wheelers have been told to run at half-capacity. Drug stores and kitchen markets will be exempt from these restrictions.
Read: 10 Covid patients die in Khulna division
Last week restrictions imposed in some of the areas of the district were not enough to curb the infection rate so another week-long restriction has been imposed in all the areas of the district.
Khulna Metropolitan Police has been told to take strict action against unnecessary gatherings on the streets.
Decisions have been made to increase the number of beds, logistical support and staff at Khulna Sadar Hospital converting it into a Corona Dedicated Hospital.
Read: In Khulna, a scramble for Covid hospital beds
It has been learned from the meeting that an RT-PCR lab was set up at Khulna University where samples of 500 patients can be tested every day.
Last week during the restrictions mobile courts fined around Tk 3.62 lac for violating restrictions.