The local administration of some of the border districts have imposed strict restrictions for seven days to check the transmission of the Indian variant of coronavirus.

The decisions were taken after separate meetings as the  government allowed the local administrations to impose lockdown if the situation worsens in their areas.

Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil announced the restrictions on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the fresh restrictions, none will be allowed to leave their houses from 7 pm to 8 am without any emergency reason in Rajshahi until June 9.

All business establishments and vehicular movement will remain shut during the time except those providing emergency services. However restaurants and traders can provide services  online.

However, mango farmers and traders will carry on their business  on a limited scale  maintaining social distance.

Also read: Naogaon municipality, Niamatpur upazila put under one week lockdown

Similar restrictions have also been imposed in Rupsha Upazila, Khulna Sadar, Sonadanga and Khalishpur upazilas of Khulna for a week which will start from June 4.

Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain came up with the decision after a meeting with the district coronavirus prevention committee on Wednesday morning in presence of  Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq.

All shops except pharmacies in those places will remain closed for a week from June 4.

Mobile courts and police were instructed to take necessary steps to ensure people maintain the health guidelines.

The city mayor said no gathering would be allowed after evening.

He also instructed all to maintain social distance and use masks.

Also read: Lockdown extended in Rohingya camps, Teknaf upazila

Besides, Naogaon municipality, Niamatpur upazila have been put under  lockdown for a week.

Deputy Commissioner Harun-or-Rashid announced the lockdown at a press conference on Wednesday noon.

The lockdown will remain in force from June 3 to 9.

No vehicles will be allowed to enter or exit these places.

However, vehicles involved in providing emergency services, ambulances, goods-laden vehicles, patient carrying vehicles, will be allowed to move on roads.

All shops and weekly haats except pharmacies will remain shut during the period.

Earlier on Monday, the cabinet secretary announced that district administrations have been given the authority to enforce lockdown in their areas if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates.

Also read: Covid positivity rate rises in Bangladesh, 34 more die

“Deputy commissioners, civil surgeons, chairmen and mayors have already been told that if they think the situation would be harmful (deteriorate) in any place, they can close down that area,” said Anwarul Islam.

Covid positivity rate rises in Bangladesh, 34 more die

Bangladesh recorded 34 more coronavirus-related deaths and some 2,000 new cases as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic situation.

Health authorities detected 1,988 new cases after testing 20,259 samples during the period. The number of sample tests has increased over the past one week.

With the new cases, the total caseload rose to 8,04,293, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The new deaths pushed up the death toll to 12,694.

The daily infection rate increased to 9.81 percent from Tuesday’s 9.47 percent, while the mortality rate remained static at 1.58 percent.

Among the deceased, 11 died in Dhaka division while five each in Khulna, Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions, 3 each in Sylhet and Rangpur and one in Barishal division.