Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said business people have failed to keep their promise of reopening the export oriented factories only with  workers available in Dhaka and its adjoining areas during the ongoing lockdown.  At a briefing at his residence Quader said "The business leaders had promised to start the factories with the workers who are residing near the workplaces. But in reality many factory owners have sent notices to the workers to quickly return to work." The short notice has prompted workers’ hurried return to the capital city in thousands ignoring all Covid health protocols for fear of losing jobs, he said. This might aggravate the surging pandemic situation in the country, he feared. Read: AL shows zero tolerance to intruders in the party, says Quader He said the government decided to allow the export-oriented industries to open at the request of the business people. Accordingly, the mainly the garment factories reopened Monday (Aug. 1), even though the current lockdown would continue until Aug. 5. Caught off-guard by the decision thousands of workers, who had gone to village homes along with their family members on Eid holidays, began returning to Dhaka either by foot or by rickshaw vans, trawlers, goods-laden pickup truck in the absence of public transport. Read: No political harassment in the country, says Obaidul Quader In a last moment decision the government allowed public transport to operate only until Saturday noon to facilitate the workers' return to work.

Readymade garment and all other export-oriented factories will remain open during the nationwide ‘strict lockdown’ which is set to begin on Monday. Sources Bangladesh Garment Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) confirmed the news to UNB citing a circular issued by the organisation. “Export-oriented factories will not remain under the purview of the lockdown. However, strict health protocols should be maintained in keeping the factories open.” the circular read. Also read: Army may be deployed to enforce lockdown, hints state minister Earlier on Saturday, Bangladesh Garments Buying House Association sent an application to the Cabinet Secretary Khondokar Anwarul Islam requesting permission to keep the factories operational on a limited scale during the lockdown. The leaders of the organisation also said that they have received a positive response from the government. Earlier on Friday, Press Information Department Principal Information Officer Surath Kumar Sarker said that the government is going to enforce a new nationwide "strict lockdown" on Monday. Also read: Strict nationwide lockdown in Bangladesh from Monday as Covid situation worsens The restrictions will remain in place for seven days unless extended. Government and private offices, barring those of emergency services, will remain closed during this period. All modes of transport, except those carrying emergency goods, will also remain suspended and nobody will be allowed to go out unless there is an emergency.