Restriction on public movement extended till August 31

The government has decided to extend the restriction on public movement till August 31 to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The restriction will be effective from Tuesday (August 4), said a gazette notification from the Cabinet on Monday.

According to the notice, no one is allowed to go out of their houses without an emergency from 10pm to 5am. Legal action will be taken against those who do not wear masks while outside, maintain social distance or follow any other health guidelines.

Shops and markets must have temperature scanners, handwashing facilities and sanitizers at their entrance, and shut down within 8pm. The vehicles that enter the shopping mall complex will also need to be disinfected.

All offices have to follow directives from the Health Services Division. Sick officials, pregnant women and those at highest risk of Covid-19 contamination have been asked not to attend office during this time. 

Public transports will also remain operational during this time following proper health guidance.  

The directives to keep the educational institutes close will be given by the ministry or divisions concerned.

No events involving mass public gathering will be allowed to be organized within this time period. Jamaat in mosques can be organized following health guidance provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Zone-based lockdowns have to be implemented by following the "Covid-19 zone-based containment implementation guide" from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Availability of necessary groceries has to be ensured in locked-down areas. DGHS will provide necessary guidance regarding this. 

City corporations will coordinate the lockdown situation in areas under them. District Administration will coordinate the lockdown situation at district-level.

The notification asked the ministries and divisions concerned to take the necessary action following the instructions.

Earlier on March 26, the government had declared general holiday for 10 days to ensure social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Later, the holiday was gradually extended to April 25, May 5, and May 30 as the country kept seeing a rise in the number of cases and deaths from Covid-19.