Country enters limited scale lockdown

Lockdown in limited scale has been enforced across the country on Monday (June 28) aiming to curb coronavirus surge.

From this time on, transports and shopping malls have been kept closed while public and private offices will run with the limited number of manpower. Law enforcers are vigilant with tougher action to implement the curbing measures.

The lockdown, which began at 8am on Monday (July 28), will end at 8am on July 1 followed by ‘stricter’ lockdown.

The army will be deployed to ensure tight lockdown. Cabinet Division issued a notification to this connection on Sunday (June 26).

Public transport except freight vehicles and rickshaws would be closed across the country. The matter needs to be confirmed through regular patrols by the law enforcement agencies. All shopping malls, markets, tourist centers, resorts, community centers and recreational centers will be closed. Food shops, hotels and restaurants will be able to sell food (online / takeaway only) from 8 am to 8 pm, , the notification said.

Respective offices have to manage own transport for employees in public and private office establishments.

Campaigns will be launched to create awareness among people to wear masks. Legal actions will be taken if necessary.

The Cabinet Division has directed all the Senior Secretaries / Secretaries to take necessary steps in this regard.

The government had earlier said that a "stricter lockdown" would be implemented from July 1 after a limited three-day lockdown ends to curb the rise in corona.

The lockdown will be ‘limited scale’ considering budget session at the national parliament and ‘June closing’.

Due to an increase in corona infections, government announced lockdown on April 5 this year. Although there was a slow lockdown till April 13, the government declared a all-out lockdown from April 14 as the infection increased further.

Later, public transport was allowed in the city corporation area. However, long-distance bus, launch and train services were closed till Eid. Later, from May 24, public transport was allowed to run with half of the passengers.

When the first corona infection started in the country on March 6 last year, all types of educational institutions was closed from March 18. The office is closed for 7 consecutive days from March 26. Educational institutions have been declared closed till 30 instant.