Shafiqul Islam
A seven day ban of free movement is active throughout the country to prevent the huge rate of Covid-19 infection. This impasse could be extended for another term. Despite pressure from various professional bodies to relax restrictions, cabinet and public administration officials say there is no alternative to extending the deadline to control the infection of coronavirus. Officials said they were initially considering extending the ban for another week, as recommended by the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19. But everything will be final in the meeting.
It is learned that an inter-ministerial virtual meeting will be held with the concerned people on Monday (April 19). Organized by the Cabinet Division, the meeting will be attended by top officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Administration and other concerned ministries/divisions, law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces. A final decision will be taken at the meeting on extending the ban. Subsequently, a notification will be issued in this regard subject to the approval of the Prime Minister.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said, “It has not been decided yet whether the ban will extend or not.” The decision will be informed in a day or two. However, there are suggestions to increase the lockdown.
Strict restrictions were imposed from 6 am on April 14 to midnight on April 21 to prevent coronavirus infection. However, the ban has already caused misery to people from various professions. The suffering of working-class people is getting a little too much.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association held a press conference on Sunday to appeal to the Prime Minister to open markets and shops from April 22. Because Eid-ul-Fitr is around the corner.
If there is no trade on this occasion, they will have to sit on the road. Therefore, whatever the situation of covid-19, the concerned people think that it will not be possible to prolong the ban or lockdown for too long.
