The seven-day lockdown in Satkhira district entered the 2nd day on Sunday with people defying  the  health safety protocols amid risks of coronavirus transmission. Though the members of law enforcement agencies have taken position in many important points in the district but no strict measures have been taken yet for defiance of health guidelines. Read: Satkhira goes into lockdown for 7 days People living in rural areas were seen moving without masks and the presence of people in the local markets  is high. The activities at Bhomra land port is normal as the port authorities have been allowed to continue their operation for 6 hours from 8 am tand reports of ignoring health guidelines were also found at the port. The authorities concerned have issued red alert in the bordering areas of the district but allegations have been found that people are still crossing borders illegally in the night. Read: Satkhira put under 7-day strict lockdown According to  the health authorities, a total of 339 people have been found infected with the virus in the district. Of them, 27 are undergoing treatment at Satkhira Medical College and Hospital, 26 at Sadar hospital while the rest 286 are taking treatment at home So far, a total of 48 people have died of Covid-19 in the district while 250 people died with Covid-19 symptoms. Authorities in Satkhira on Saturday imposed a week-long lockdown in the district, following a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases. Read:Bangladesh puts Satkhira border areas on alert The decision was taken to break the chain of coronavirus transmission after the positivity rate in the district was found to be 53 percent, officials said on Saturday.  

Banks transaction hours have been extended further by half an hour as they will now operate from 10 am to 3 pm from May 31 to June 6. Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on Sunday for all banks in compliance with the Cabinet Division’s latest directives on the countrywide restrictions to contain the Coronavirus transmission. Read:Bangladesh extends lockdown until June 6 The banks can keep open offices until 4:30 pm to do their necessary activities, said the BB circular. Currently, banks have been operating transactions from 10 am to 2:30 pm while in the normal situation they operate from 10 pm to 4 pm.     The BB circular said all other instructions will remain unchanged as per the circular of April 13. In that circular it said banks can keep one non-AD branch open within 2km radius in the city corporation areas and at upazila level one branch of each bank can remain open on Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday. Read:Covid-19 claims 38 more lives in Bangladesh; new cases 1,043 Banks have to take measures to provide transport facilities for the staff during the period. The BB circular said during the banking transaction hours, banks have to ensure different kinds of services including clearing of cheques, withdrawal and deposits of money, money transfer, the release of remittance, encashment of different instruments and also receipt of the payments of bills of different utilities. BB said banks have to continue services like disbursement of loans, incentives, payment of salaries of different industries and also the purchase of export bills, loan sanction and distribution. Banks have to follow instructions in keeping the branches located in the port areas in discussion with the local administration and other authorities, as per the circular issued on August 5 last year, it said. Read:Schools, colleges to reopen on June 13: Dipu Moni Banks have to operate with limited staff under a roster system. They have to ensure operation of ATM booths to facilitate transaction through cards by supplying adequate cash in the machines while the evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further order, said the circular issued on April 13.  

A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Sunday challenging the legality of the ongoing countrywide lockdown enforced by the government to contain the transmission of Coronavirus. Supreme Court Advocate Yunus Ali Akand filed the writ petition . The bench of Justice M. Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md. Rashed Jahangir may hear the writ petition on Monday.  Yunus Ali Akand said the government can’t halt citizens’ basic rights like people’s movement without imposing a state of emergency. The ongoing lockdown has violated citizens’ basic right mentioned in section 27, 28, 31, 33, 35 and 36 of the Constitution, he said. The writ also sought a stay on the lockdown and directive not to enforce any lockdown  in the future, he added.

The busy streets of Khulna city wore a deserted look on Wednesday, with vanishingly few residents seen out in public at the onset of a fresh seven-day lockdown, with stricter enforcement expected of rules that are already stricter in response to the Second Wave of Covid-19. All shops except for pharmacies and groceries were shut on Wednesday. Even the always-bustling Shibari intersection, known for a chronic bustle, is almost silent. The streets were empty. There was no public transport except for a few rickshaws and pushcarts. Those spotted on the sidewalks were people out for shopping or are hospital employees or emergency service workers. Also read: Fresh lockdown in Bangladesh: Experts skeptical about having any great result The nationwide new lockdown that started on Wednesday will continue until April 21.  The law enforcers were seen occupying the city intersections. Police teams were also spotted patrolling the streets. Anyone who was out on the street, defying the government-imposed restrictions, was stopped by them.  All the offices in the city are closed now. However, the emergency services are still running. And the emergency service workers are either moving on foot or using their vehicle. Mofassil Alam, a showroom owner in Moilapota intersection, said: "We have closed our showrooms following the government's restrictions. We will welcome the customers back if there is a new instruction in this connection." Also read: Bangladesh put under complete lockdown amid Covid spike Pilot, a tea seller at Shibari intersection, said: "There are not many customers as Ramadan has begun. The lockdown has also begun. So, I've kept my store shut."   Rickshaw puller Md Moni said, "This lockdown has been very harsh on us. My income has collapsed as the first day of the lockdown wears on. What am I going to eat now?"  The cabinet division on Monday issued a notification declaring a strict lockdown to contain the spike in Covid-19 infections.  All offices, public transport, markets, shopping malls, shops, hotels and restaurants will remain closed until midnight on Apr 21. However, factories will remain open and limited banking services will be available.

The pomp and colour associated with Pahela Baishakh was absent as people celebrated the event virtually for the second consecutive year amid restrictions imposed to contain the transmission of coronavirus. The first day of Bangla calendar also saw the country shattering its single-day Covid-19 fatalities record. With a lockdown in place, festivities and cultural events to mark the Bangla New Year were all held virtually. Symbolic ‘Mangal Shobhajatra-1428’ The marquee events of the day – the traditional ‘Borsho-Boron’ programme by Chhayanaut and the Mangal Shobhajatra parade by the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University – have all been cancelled. Also read: After lives & livelihoods: Covid strikes at culture, with Pahela Baishakh forced indoors Both Chhayanaut and FFA broadcast pre-recorded programmes on national TV. The Faculty of Fine Arts pre-recorded a unique, symbolic Mangal Shobhajatra for 1428 with the participation of the State Minister for Cultural Affairs and fewer than 20 people. They showcased their banner and 100 prop items made by students and teachers, including face shields and masks in the symbolic procession. Online events Renowned cultural organisations and institutions including Chhayanaut, the Faculty of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Liberation War Museum Bangladesh and many others have observed the day with online festivities and programmes. Also read: Chhayanaut cancels Pahela Baishakh festivities at Ramna, goes back to virtual celebration with BTV Chhayanaut had initial plans to arrange and record their programme at the Ramna Park without a live audience at the dawn of April 14, or pre-record the programme before that. Instead, they broadcast this year’s festivity through a special collaborative programme with Bangladesh Television (BTV) and also on its YouTube channel Chhayanaut Digital - Platform. Shilpakala Academy also broadcast a live webinar and cultural programme on its official Facebook page and YouTube channel, which was joined by former Cultural Affairs Minister and eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor. Liberation War Museum and Wrishiz Shilpi Goshthi also held online programmes on Facebook on the occasion. Also read: Google celebrates Pahela Baishakh with new doodle This year, April 14 also marks the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Bangladesh and some other Muslim countries in the world. On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen and all Bangla-speaking people across the globe. Prime Minister Hasina urged everyone to follow health guidelines and celebrate Pahela Baishakh at home, in the wake of a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The country will be forced to abandon its traditional Bengali New Year celebration on April 14 for a second consecutive year, as the local outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic witnesses a resurgence, forcing the festive occasion of Pahela Baishakh to be welcomed and celebrated once again through online platforms and symbolic programmes like the last year. Although millions are bound to be disappointed by the turn of events, most of them would not be surprised that it came to such a pass, where the year 1428 in the Bengali calendar will be ushered in by most people indoors, same as 1427 was a year ago. With its celebration of the changing of the seasons, rooted in nature through its relation with the spring harvest, and rife with symbolism drawn from the region's flora and fauna, Pahela Baishakh is an essentially outdoor event. No one can look forward to recreating any of its traditional magic in an indoor setting. Besides, Covid restrictions mean very few can even gather under the same roof to be with their near and dear ones at least. Renowned cultural organizations and institutions including Chhayanaut, the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) of Dhaka University, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Liberation War Museum Bangladesh (LWM) and more will observe the day with online-based festivities and programmes, to welcome the new calendar year 1428. Also read: People’s lives come first: PM Hasina The marquee events of the dawn are the traditional Borsho-Boron programme by Chhayanaut at Ramna Batamul in the capital and the Mangal Shobhajatra parade of the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), Dhaka University, which will not be arranged live this year. However, both Chhayanaut and FFA have informed UNB that they are going to showcase pre-recorded programmes on national televisions in the morning. First observed in 1989 by FFA as a colourful procession celebrating the Bengali New Year with the participation of people from all walks of life, the annual Mangal Shobhajatra has received the recognition of UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage on November 30, 2016. With the theme "Kal Bhoyankorer Beshe, Abar Oi Ashe Sundor", FFA was forwarding to celebrate this year's procession and started preparation for making props on April 6, as it could not organize the parade last year due to the lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions. Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued Unfortunately, plans for organizing the large procession this year had to be cut down, and instead of cancelling the event, FFA has pre-recorded a symbolic programme at the premises of the Faculty of Fine Arts. "Initially, the Dhaka University authorities decided to arrange a symbolic event on FFA premises on the day of Pahela Baishakh, as it has always been culturally very significant and this year marks the Golden Jubilee of our Independence. As per the government's directive regarding the lockdown restrictions to curve the ongoing pandemic, we decided and pre-recorded a symbolic Mangal Shobhajatra for 1428 on a very limited scale at the premises of FFA with the participation of our State Minister for Cultural Affairs and fewer than 20 people, showcasing our banner and 100 prop items made by our students and teachers including face shields and masks," Nisar Hossain, Dean of the FFA, told UNB on Tuesday. The press and electronic media were not allowed to broadcast the recording, however, The DU authority will provide a video and press elements of the programme to the press and electronic media tomorrow, he informed. Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 69 more die, 6,028 infected On Monday, Chhayanaut general secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa stated, “As we could not celebrate Pahela Baishakh 1427 through arranging our traditional cultural festivity under the banyan tree at Ramna Park, we had been preparing and rehearsing to organize the festivity this year without the crowd at the venue and also we had plans to pre-record the programme if the situation restricts us to arrange on that day. Sadly, as we have been observing the recent surge of the pandemic and also as some of our artists are being infected with COVID-19 -  we have decided to broadcast this year’s festivity through a special collaborative programme with Bangladesh Television (BTV) as last year." “The programme will broadcast from 7 am to 8 am, and it will be showcasing a compilation of some of the new and previous performances of Chhayanaut artists, and this year we are featuring performances focusing on the Golden Jubilee of our glorious Independence. Aside from BTV, Chhayanaut will also broadcast the programme on its YouTube Channel Chhayanaut Digital - Platform," she added. Also read: Chhayanaut cancels Pahela Baishakh festivities at Ramna, goes back to virtual celebration with BTV Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) will broadcast a live webinar and cultural programme on its official Facebook page and YouTube channel from 11 pm onwards, which is scheduled to be joined by former Cultural Affairs Minister and eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor as its chief guest. BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky will preside over the virtual event, which will also be joined by prominent eductator and writer prof Syed Manzoorul Islam as the speaker and renowned cultural personalities including Nazrul Sangeet maestro Khairul Anam Shakil, folk singer Akramul Islam, Rabindra Sangeet singer Lily Islam, performing students from the Govt Music College and more. Liberation War Museum (LWM) will also broadcast a virtual programme on its official Facebook page at 11 am. Also read: Pahela Baishakh celebrated without outdoor programmes Wrishiz Shilpi Goshthi will arrange an online programme on Facebook as well. It will be broadcast at 9 am on Pahela Baishakh, according to legendary folk icon Fakir Alamgir, President of the cultural group. Earlier, the government restricted all sorts of outdoor celebrations of Pahela Baishakh and asked to organize virtual events for online celebrations. Therefore, all the major outdoor celebrations of Pahela Baishakh are called off for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This year, April 14 also marks the first day of Ramadan in Bangladesh and some other Muslim countries in the world.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged everyone to follow health guidelines and celebrate Pahela Boishakh at home when the nation enters a strict weeklong lockdown to contain the upsurge of coronavirus transmission. "We have to remember that the lives of the people come first. If (we) survive, we’ll be able to rearrange everything," she said while addressing the nation on the eve of Bengali New Year, Pahela Boishakh. State-owned Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television (BTV) simultaneously broadcasted her address. Private television channels and radio stations also aired the Prime Minister’s speech. She also urged the countrymen not to be panicked at the second wave of covid-19 and assured that her government is always with them. She asked authorities concerned to take measures to provide necessary assistance to the poor and low-income people. In her roughly 13-minute speech, the Prime Minister said that the government has imposed some restrictions on the movement of people due to the second wave of coronavirus last week. She said the rise in cases compelled the government to take some tough measures following the advice of public health experts. The prime minister acknowledged that the strict measures could cause some issues for the livelihoods of many people. She reminded everyone that protecting the people's lives was the top priority. Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 69 more die, 6,028 infected Sheikh Hasina mentioned that last year everyone had to face various types of adverse situations after coronavirus hit. "As quarantine is one of the ways to resist this pandemic, for that we’ve to take some steps that had an impact on people's lives and livelihoods," she said. The four principles She said that last year the government imposed 62 days of general holiday. It is yet to open educational institutions. The Prime Minister said the situation was not unique to Bangladesh. “Such steps are being taken wherever the impact of this deadly virus is intensifying," she said. Along with saving people's lives, the Prime Minister said the government is keeping watch so that country's economy, lives and livelihoods of the people do not fall apart. “With cooperation from all we have taken some steps, as a result, last year we were able to face the coronavirus pandemic successfully,” she said. She said the government fixed four key activities last year to face the possible adverse impact of coronavirus. They were—increasing public expenditure prioritising employment generation; formulating stimulus package for reviving economic activities, keeping labours and workers in their jobs and keeping the competitiveness of the entrepreneurs. The other two are— expanding social safety net programmes for fulfilling the basic needs of people living under the poverty line, non-institutionally engaged and day labourers, and increasing money supply to overcome the adverse impact on the economy in a way there will be no inflation. “Our activities are continuing based on these four principles. We’ve already announced 23 stimulus packages of Tk 1,24,053 crore,” she said. Also read: Covid-19: Hasina for balancing livelihoods and public health ‘Don’t worry’ She also said that some 2.5 crore people have been brought under various government assistance programme apart from taking steps for uninterrupted production in mills and factories and increasing agricultural production. “There’s no need to be worried, the government is always beside you. I’ve taken steps for the poor and lower-income group after the second wave hit,” she said. In this regard, she said that the government allocated Tk 807.65 crore for employment generation in the rural areas and more than Tk 672 crore for Holy Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. This will benefit 1,24,42,000 lower income group families. 5.6mln people received first dose Talking about the vaccine of coronavirus, Sheikh Hasina said that scientists have already invented some vaccines, Oxford-AstraZeneca is one of them. She also said that it was a matter of good luck that Bangladesh has been able to bring a sizeable number of doses at the beginning of the vaccine production. “In the meantime, more than 56 lakh people have been taken the first dose of the vaccine. Those who’ve taken the first dose are now taking the second dose. Gradually, we’ll bring everyone under the vaccine programme and we’ve the preparations,” she said. But she mentioned that the health experts said that there is no assurance that one will be fully protected from the virus after receiving the vaccine. “So, after taking the vaccine, we’ll have to maintain health guidelines too,” she said. Also read: Bangladesh begins second phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive Covid treatment facilities being increased The Prime Minister said that the area of coronavirus patient treatment has been further expanded in all districts including Dhaka. In the meantime, steps have been taken for uninterrupted oxygen supply in public specialised hospitals. Existing ICU facilities are being increased. She urged everyone to be careful and ensure protection for themselves, family members and neighbours. “So, gatherings have to be avoided and everyone should wear a mask when going outside. After returning home, one should get cleaned and take hot water vapour,” she said. “If everyone follows health guidelines, it’ll be possible to keep the pandemic under control, Inshallah,” she said. ‘Celebrate Pahela Boishakh digitally’ She also mentioned that era after era pandemic, storms, cyclones and calamities come, mankind has to survive facing all these. “The path of life is not smooth. The path may be tough enough [but] we’ve to make our advancement conquering that,” she said. Quoting some lines of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Prime Minister said that Bangalis are the victorious nation and they are surviving facing various adversities. Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued “Inshallah, we’ll face this coronavirus pandemic. In the new year our prayer to the Almighty is to save the world from this pandemic,” she said. The Prime Minister greeted the countrymen on the occasion of Bengali New Year and Holy Ramadan that fell on the same day this year. She also asked all to stay home. “Like the previous year, Bangalis will have to celebrate Pahela Boishakh festival through digital medium remaining at home,” she said.

A large number of homebound people were seen gathering at railway station and bus terminals as the government announced 7-day countrywide lockdown from Monday. Commuters fearing suspension of public transport crowding at the bus and launch terminals amid the risk of Coronavirus transmission. Excessive pressure transports was seen on the highway causing long tailbacks.

Though the coronavirus transmission has been surging alarmingly in the country, the government has no visible steps to contain the pace of outbreak of the deadly virus, BNP alleged on Tuesday. “Corona infection is growing alarmingly. We saw an 18-point directive was issued yesterday (Monday), but the government has not taken any visible step to implement it,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. The BNP leader said there is a false campaign that the government is effectively tackling the Covid situation. “The fact is that they (govt) can’t control the virus, but they’re lying. The government should have a strong campaign and effective steps to enforce the 18-point directive, but it's missing.” He accused the government of hiding the facts and data about the real Covid situation in the country and not conducting adequate tests to quickly identify the infected people. “People are not getting adequate opportunities to undergo tests not only in Dhaka, but also elsewhere in Bangladesh. The government is fully responsible for this situation. They never realised the importance of creating a national unity to overcome the pandemic,” he observed. Stating that using masks is essential to prevent the virus outbreak, the BNP leader said people are showing apathy to it as the government has failed to motivate them and create awareness among them in this regard through a mass campaign. He said the government did not suspend different state programmes relating to the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman though the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had warned of deterioration in Covid situation. Fakhrul alleged that the government is not taking proper steps to get rid of the corona outbreak as it is not accountable to people. “This government is not elected by people’s votes. An unelected government can’t have any responsibility towards people.” He said the government’s main target is now to ‘hang onto’ power by any means and ‘plunder’ public money.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has identified 29 districts, including Dhaka and Chattogram, with higher rates of Coronavirus transmission. The areas have been dubbed ‘risky places’ considering the high number of Covid-19 cases. Narayanganj, Gazipur, Nilphamari, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Sylhet and Khulna are also on the list of risky districts, according to DGHS. Also read: Proposed partial lockdown in areas with high Covid-19 cases: Health Minister Prof ABM Khurshid Alam, director-general of the health directorate, disclosed the findings after announcing an 18-point directive on behalf of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a virtual press conference in the afternoon. "Considering the level of transmission, the local administration can decide whether lockdown is necessary for any certain area or not,” he said. “But there was no decision on announcing general holiday.”