No extension of general holiday after 30 May: State minister

The government will not extend the ongoing general holidays, aimed at curbing the transmission of coronavirus, beyond 30 May, state minister for public administration Farhad Hossain told UNB on Wednesday.

A gazette notification will be issued on Thursday in this regard, he said, adding that prime minister Sheikh Hasina has already signed it.

The government first announced the holidays on 23 March, five days after Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus death.

State minister Hossain said all public, private and autonomous offices can be opened in a limited scale from 31 May to 15 June but everyone has to follow the 13 health directives issued earlier.

Pregnant women, the elderly and the sick have been asked to refrain from attending offices during this period.

“All ministries and offices will remain open but they will operate in a limited scale,” Hossain clarified.

Light and private vehicles can be used for commuting to offices during this period but public transport, train and vessels will not run.

“People won’t be allowed to travel from one district to another. Their movement will be strictly controlled in every district and check posts will be set up at the entry and exit points of the districts,” the state minister said.

Educational institutions will remain closed till 15 June but online classes will continue. Markets and shops will remain open from 10:00am to 4:00pm but they will have to follow health guidelines.

“The embargo on people’s movement from 8:00pm to morning will remain unchanged,” said Hossain.

He said the decision was taken to allow economic activities in a limited scale, adding that everyone will have to maintain health rules during this time.

Airlines can operate flights under their own management following health guidelines.

“No rallies or mass gatherings will be allowed ... mosques and other places of worships will continue to run following previously issued guidelines,” he said.

Farhad Hossain clarified that the directives will remain in force until June 15. “A new gazette notification will be issued after this period,” he said.

On 23 March, the government declared general holidays from 26 March to 4 April and later extended it several times to 30 May.