The government on March 26 first introduced a 10 day shutdown till April 4, which was later extended till April 11
The government has extended the ongoing “general holiday” for another three days, until April 14.
The Public Administration Ministry said the holiday has been extended for two days, April 12 and 13, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country and encourage people to stay at home and maintain social distancing.
The ministry's Secretary Yusuf Harun confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
As April 14 is Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, people are entitled to a government holiday on that day as well.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during a televised national address recently, said there will no mass celebrations on Pohela Boishakh this year, and asked the people of the country to celebrate the day indoors.
The government on March 26 first introduced a 10 day shutdown till April 4, which was later extended till April 11.
According to the fresh gazette, emergency services such as power, water, gas, fire, cleanliness, telephone and internet services will remain beyond the purview of the holidays, alongside transportation of food, medical equipment, germicides, agricultural goods, fertilizer, industrial goods, and other essential products or daily necessities.
Kitchen markets, food shops, pharmacies and hospitals will remain open.
The order also said restrictions on the movement of various modes of public transport, including train and bus services as well as rickshaw vans, will be relaxed in phases.
Bangladesh Bank will revise the current makeshift arrangements of banking operations after gauging the people’s needs, it added.
Pharmaceutical and export-oriented industries may be kept open if required, it further said.
The government earlier asked everyone to stay indoors during the holidays and to come out of their homes only in case of urgent need, such as for medical and healthcare purposes.
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