Although the ongoing lockdown is supposed to be lifted on August 5, everything might not be allowed to open together even after August 5, said official sources in the government.
The sources also said since the number of deaths from Covid-19 is highly alarming and infection rate is also increasing, the lockdown might be lifted in phases at the end of the ongoing two-week long lockdown.
The lockdown that started from July 23 is scheduled to end on August 5.
Due to the lockdown, all government, non-government and private offices, industries, garment factories and all other activities remain closed. Movement of mass people and public transports also remain suspended across the country. Since unnecessary movement is totally restricted, law-enforces and mobile courts remain active with taking punitive measures against them. In this circumstance, a stagnant situation is prevailing almost all over the country.
Asked about whether the lockdown would be lifted after August 5, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain on Wednesday said, “Everything will be allowed to open in phases, and the lockdown will be lifted through a process.”
The State Minister said, “We all should try our best, otherwise we would not be able to remain alive. We have to continue our activities, but we have to maintain health rules and guidelines. We must have to wear masks.”
“The crisis for vaccines is over. Everyone will be brought under vaccination.”
In response to a question on whether the offices will be opened in the beginning with half the manpower, the state minister said, "Yes, it is like that."
Asked about whether the garment factories would be opened from August 1, the Minister said, “It totally depends on the situation.”
“If the situation does not improve, there is no possibility of opening the garment sector before the lockdown ends.”
Earlier on Tuesday heath minister Zahid Maleque said, there is no alternative to the lockdown in saving lives. “Everyone must have to maintain the lockdown”, he said.
Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, also the Minister for Road, Transport and Bridges, on Wednesday said the government has given optimum priority to protecting the lives of the people from the deadly coronavirus infection.
“In Bangladesh, the COVID-19 infection rate is higher than that of neighbouring India. In such a reality, the government has given the highest priority to protecting the lives of the people from coronavirus,” he told a press conference at his official residence.
He said the people’s livelihoods will not yield any benefit if their lives could not be protected. “Although many people demand easing lockdown, saving the lives of all must be given priority,” he added.
“That's why we should remember that the COVID-19 situation is getting worse day by day due to the negligence of many people. If this trend continues, an unexpected disastrous situation may emerge,” he added.
Quader urged the people to keep trust in the decisions made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as per the advice of experts, to protect the lives of people.
Quader asked the rich people of society to stand by the helpless people during the ongoing crisis.
