Public transports went off streets and shopping malls remained shut in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh as the government has enforced a strict lockdown ‘on a limited scale’ from Monday in an effort to bring the Covid situation under control. The alarming surge in Covid cases and deaths caused by highly transmittable Delta variant prompted the government to announce the 3-day lockdown ahead of an all out lockdown from July 1. Read:Auto-rickshaw, light vehicles workers demand food, cash support amid 'lockdown' Rickshaws and private vehicles were seen dominating the Dhaka streets on the first day of the lockdown. People including office-goers were seen waiting on roads  for a long time for rickshaws or motorbikes to reach their destinations. Traffic police at different points are stopping vehicles and quizzing drivers and passengers, said traffic inspector of DMP Asaduzzaman (Mohakhali).  The Cabinet Division issued a circular over the fresh lockdown on Sunday. The lockdown will remain in force from 6 am on June 28 to 6am on  July 1, it said. Movement of all modes of public transport except goods-laden vehicles and rickshaws will remain restricted and the members of law enforcement agencies will ensure it through regular patrolling, it said. All shopping malls, markets, recreation centres, resorts, community centers, tourist spots will remain shut. Read: Bangladesh ready to go into ‘strict lockdown’ from Monday Hotels and restaurants will remain open from 8am to 8pm with  online/takeway service. Government and private offices will run with only necessary staff and they will arrange transport for office staff. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair on Saturday evening. The repeated lockdowns have become a threat to the livelihoods of many in Bangladesh while disrupting travel and social life. However, experts hope that stricter rules will bring positivity rates and fatalities down as the country is battling to get a second coronavirus wave under control. The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 pandemic on Thursday recommended imposing a "nationwide shutdown" for two weeks considering the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country. A total of 119 people died in Bangladesh in 24 hours until Sunday morning, the biggest figure since the pandemic hit the country. Read:No lockdown for health sector: Minister During the period, 5,268 more people came out positive with Covid-19 in 24,400 sample tests, said a handout issued by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The country’s daily positivity rate fell to 21.59% Sunday from Saturday’s 22.50%.

With the economy shrinking by 12.1 percent in the second quarter of the year, the Eurozone has entered the deepest recession in its history.

The Cultural Affairs Ministry on Wednesday announced to provide financial help to 5,000 artists who were left without earning sources amid the nationwide shutdown to prevent transmission of coronavirus.

As economic activities came to a grinding halt amid the nationwide shutdown aimed at curbing the transmission of coronavirus, tenants in Dhaka and other cities urged the government to waive house rents and utility bills for three months from April.   Many say they are out of job and do not have enough to feed their families. With the situation showing no sign of improvement, they say they are worried about their survival.   Small businessmen also requested the government to forgo utility bills to help them survive and continue business.   During the shutdown, the low-income group who live from hand to mouth, such as rickshaw pullers, transport workers, day-labourers, hawkers, transport workers, employees of hotels, restaurants and different shops, markets, among others, have been hit the hardest.

Even in the oldest profession in the world, they have seen nothing like it. Sex workers over the world have historically battled stigmatisation, outright bans or criminalisation, false accusations of spreading disease, and a general lack of respect from other sections of society.