The government has decided to extend the current lockdown by another week until May 5 as there is no improvement in sight in the Covid-19 situation.

A notification in this regard is expected to be issued on Tuesday, said State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain.

Also read:Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25

However, shopping malls will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm during the lockdown, he said.

The decision has been taken considering the global Covid situation and the suggestions of health experts, said the state minister.

A circular was issued on April 20 extending the ongoing strict lockdown by a week from April 22, aiming to curb the transmission of Covid-19.

As coronavirus cases continued to rise alarmingly since mid-March, the government imposed a ‘loose’ nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread. Later, a ‘stricter’ lockdown was declared from April 14 to 21.

Also read: Govt likely to ease lockdown after Apr 28

On April 23, the Cabinet Division issued a notice allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on the condition that they would maintain proper safety protocols.

Covid situation in Bangladesh

As Bangladesh struggles with the second wave of Coronavirus, it registered 97 more Covid-related deaths pushing up the death toll to 11,150 in the past 24 hours until Monday morning.

Besides, 3,306 others got infected during the period, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.

The daily infection rate dropped to 12.82 percent from Monday’s 13.33 percent while the mortality rate rose to 1.49 percent. 

Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month