5,000 artists to receive financial assistance: Ministry

The cultural affairs ministry on Wednesday announced to provide financial help to 5,000 artists who were left without earning sources amid the nationwide shutdown to prevent transmission of the novel coronavirus.

Offices of deputy commissioners, districts cultural offices and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy have been making lists of indigent artists, said a press release.

The ministry took the initiative as a large number of people were left without a job after the government shut down all non-essential services in late March when it declared a general holiday.

The holiday was later extended to 16 May and the government has already decided to extend the general holiday until 30 May.

Bangladesh has so far confirmed 17,822 coronavirus cases and 269 deaths.