Roads empty, shops shut as Bangladesh begins 14-day strict lockdown

On day 1 of the two week long countrywide strict lockdown that began on Friday in the morning, roads in Dhaka are empty.

Most of the shops except the medicine shops, kitchen markets and grocery shops are closed. Very few people and vehicles are seen on the roads in the capital city Dhaka.

Reports from other cities of the country like Rajshahi and Pabna among others say that the lockdown is being observed strictly.

Police, BGB and armed forces are seen enforcing the lockdown in various places.

Bangladesh had announced the resumption of strict lockdown to control the spread of COVID 19 in the country after a 8-day long relaxation between July 15-22 on the occasion of the festival of Eid-Ul-Azha.

The current lockdown will be effective till August 5.

Earlier, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain had said that the latest lockdown will be stricter than all the past lockdowns.

In the current phase of lockdown, the government has announced that export oriented industries and Ready Made Garment (RMG) factories will also remain closed during this period.

All modes of public transport are shut down except international flights. Offices are closed. Educational institutions have remained closed since March last year.

The Government of Bangladesh first declared a lockdown on April 5 after the Coronavirus cases started reporting a surge in the country. It was extended in phases till July 14.