Japan has tightened border control and widened ban on entry of people from countries, including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.   A notice on the website of Japan’s foreign ministry posted on Monday said the embargo will come into effect from Wednesday.   The newly-included countries are – Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ghana, Guinea, India, Kyrgyz, Pakistan, South Africa, and Tajikistan.   With these countries, Japan’s entry ban has been extended to 111 countries and regions, including the United States, most of Asia including China and South Korea, and all of Europe.   Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the restrictions will be in place “for the time being”.   “For the time being, foreign nationals categorised below are denied permission to enter Japan as ones who fall under the Article 5, paragraph (1), item (xiv) of Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, unless exceptional circumstances are found,” the foreign ministry notice said.

The government on Sunday declared April 12 and 13 as general holidays, aiming to prevent the spread of coronavirus.   The Public Administration Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Sunday,.   Besides, April 14, the first day of Bengali New Year, will be added with the holidays, it said.   On March 23, the government  declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4, aiming to prevent the transmission of deadly coronavirus and then extended the holidays until April 9   But kitchen markets, food shops, pharmacies, hospitals and all emergency services will remain out of the purview of the general holidays.   Another person died from coronavirus and 18 more people tested positive for the virus  during the last 24 hours, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday.   “Death toll from the virus infection is now nine. Eighteen more people were tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24hours, raising the number of cases to 88,” he said in an online briefing.

The operation of public transport will remain suspended until April 11 aiming to prevent the spread of coronavirus, said the Roads and Highways division on Saturday.    Emergency services, fuel, medicine, vehicles carrying perishable goods and relief materials will remain out of the purview of the restriction.   No goods-laden transport will be allowed to carry passengers.

Ensuring social distancing in the city to prevent the spread of coronavirus is getting tough due to the reluctance of common people.

The government has directed law enforcers and local administrations not to do excesses with general people while performing duties in the field across the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has started to spray anti-bacterial medicine on city roads to prevent the spread of coronavirus.   The medicine was sprayed from three vehicles of the city corporation in Chowhatta to Manikpir, Kajitula to Shahi Eidgah, Noyasarak to Zindabazar road from Sunday midnight, said Jahidul Islam, chief health official of the SCC.