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Bangladesh is expected to extend its countrywide lockdown till May 23 to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
The ongoing lockdown, in force since April 14, will end on Sunday and the government will issue a fresh order to continue the restrictions for another week, state minister for public administration Farhad Hossain said on Saturday (15).
The expectations that the people who went to their villages for Eid ul-Fitr would come back to Dhaka next week resulting in crowding has forced the administration to extend the lockdown period.
The government is also contemplating an ordinance to empower the police to enforce mask rules, according to the minister.
“After opening up…, we have to ensure that people wear masks at all (public) places. Without ensuring masks at all levels, we won’t be able to contain Covid-19,” the state minister said, adding, “if we give police the power, they will be able to carry out their job (ensure that people wear a mask) smoothly,” The Daily Star quoted him as saying.
