Staff Correspondent: Dhaka, Aug-08,

The government has decided to ease the ongoing nationwide lockdown  from August 11 with a few guidelines to follow in different sectors and people’s movement and gatherings.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard Sunday saying with some restrictions imposed during the lockdown will be lifted following the decision taken in an inter-ministerial meeting held on August 3.

From August 11, all the government, private offices and banks will be opened following the health guidelines, said the notification issued on Sunday.

It said Bangladesh Supreme Court will issue necessary directives about the courts.

Road, railways and river transports will be allowed to carry passengers in full passenger capacity. However, in regard to road transports local administrations (Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners) are allowed to order half of the public transport to move every day after consulting with the relevant authorities and law enforcement forces.

Shopping malls, markets and shops will be allowed to keep open from 10 am to 8pm following the health guidelines while hotels, restaurants can keep open from 8am to 10 pm keeping half their seats empty.

Besides, all the factories will remain open after August 11.  

The government asked all to wear masks and follow the health rules issued by the health directorate properly.

Concerned authorities will be responsible for any negligence in maintaining the health guidelines in public transports, offices, markets and legal actions will be taken against them, said the notification.

Bangladesh has been under a lockdown since July 23 barring people from leaving their homes except for essential reasons.

Scheduled to end on August 5, it was later extended to August 10

The government allowed reopening of all export-oriented factories from 1 August amid the nationwide lockdown.

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