DGHS recommends continuing Covid lockdown in Bangladesh

Published at 09:41 am July 30th, 2021

People gather to buy things from street vendors in Bangladesh, defying health guidelines amid the nationwide strict lockdown to curb Covid-19 infections, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 Dhaka Tribune

Reopening the country now may fuel the infections further, says the DGHS chief

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has recommended that the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown in Bangladesh be extended further.

DGHS Director General Prof Dr ABM Khurshid Alam confirmed the matter to Bangla Tribune on Friday.

The nationwide strict lockdown, aimed at stemming the rapidly rising Covid-19 infections across the country, was enforced on July 23, right after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, and is supposed to remain in place till August 5.

Also Read - More than a quarter of Covid deaths in Bangladesh logged in July

During this two-week lockdown, everything in Bangladesh – including RMG and other export-oriented factories – have been shut down. Only emergency services like healthcare, food, media, etc are allowed to operate during this lockdown.

Asked if they wanted the ongoing lockdown to continue beyond August 5, the DGHS chief said the decision to extend the restrictions was up to the Ministry of Public Administration.

“However, given the current situation of Covid-19 in the country, we suggest that the lockdown be continued,” he said.

He further said except for emergency services, everything should be curtailed and monitored, as reopening offices and businesses now will likely drive up the Covid-19 infections.