The government has rearranged the office timing for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan from 9 am to 3:30 pm for all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions. The decision was taken on Monday at the weekly cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the Prime Minister's Office. “During the Ramadan, 9:00am to 3:30pm has been fixed as the office time from Sunday to Thursday,” said cabinet secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told reporters at the Secretariat. Also read: Govt primary schools to remain open till 20th Ramadan: Minister He said there’ll be a 15-minute break from 1:15 to 1:30pm for Zahr prayer. However, the governor of Bangladesh Bank informed that the office time for banks would be from 9:30am to 4:00pm during the Ramadan, said Anwarul. The Supreme Court reschedules their own office timing for the Ramadan following their rules and considering the public interest. Also read: Slashing VAT, taxes on essential commodities during Ramadan under consideration: Home Minister This year, the holy Ramadan in Bangladesh is expected to begin on 02 April.

Public and private organizations have been instructed to run with half the employees from Monday till February 6 in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Sunday. The other half of the staff will function virtually, according to the notification. Bangladesh Supreme Court will issue necessary directions regarding the activities of the court during this period. Also read: Tough Covid curbs back in Bangladesh amid Omicron scare Besides, Bangladesh Bank and Financial Institutions Division will provide necessary instructions regarding banks, insurance and financial institutions. Earlier on Friday, the government announced the closure of all the schools, colleges and universities till February 6. Covid situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh logged 14 more Covid-linked deaths with 10,906 fresh cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning. Also read: Covid surge in Bangladesh: All educational institutions to remain shut till Feb 6 The daily positivity rate increased to 31.29 per cent from Saturday’s 28.02 per cent after testing 35,051 samples, according to the Directorate general of health Services (DGHS). The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,223 while the caseload mounted to 1,685,136 on Sunday