State owned Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) will be halting operations to stop piling up losses, said Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi on Sunday.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has decided to shut river transportation from Tuesday afternoon to prevent the spread of coronavirus.   “Vessels, including launches, will not be allowed to ply from Tuesday afternoon,” said Md Jahangir Alam Khan, senior information and public relations officer of the Shipping Ministry.   Cargo vessels will operate as usual. "The restriction will remain in place until further notice," he said.   Earlier in the day, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said mass transportation will remain shut from March 26 to April 4.   “Trucks, covered van, medicine, urgent services, fuel and vehicles carrying perishables will operate as usual,” he said adding that cargo vehicles will not be permitted to carry people.