28 pairs of intercity trains resume services

Twenty-eight pairs of intercity trains resumed their services in the country on Monday after 59 days of suspension due to Covid-19 situation.

Train services resumed with 28  pairs of intercity trains at half capacity and following health guidelines, said sources at the Bangladesh Railway.

The country's train services were suspended on April 5 as part of the government restrictions on people's movement to stem coronavirus transmission.

The authorities concerned have been asked to keep half of the train seats vacant for ensuring social distance, said a handout issued by Railways Ministry on Sunday.

Passengers can purchase train tickets online, it said.

All concerned including the passengers have been asked to board the trains with face covers to contain the spread of Covid-19, said the notice issued on Sunday.

The government has extended the ongoing lockdown by another week until May 30 allowing public buses to run at half of their capacities considering the current coronavirus situation in the country.

All concerned, including passengers, will have to maintain health protocols like wearing masks, says the circular. Besides, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to keep open with half of their capacities.

The authorities concerned have been asked to take the necessary steps in this regard.

Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh

As Bangladesh battles with the Covid-19 pandemic, its health authorities recorded 28 more deaths and 1,354 cases in 24 hours until Sunday morning.

The infection rate rose to 8.90 percent from Saturday's 8.41 percent while the mortality rate stood at 1.57 percent, said a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The new cases of infections were recorded after testing 15,205 samples.

With the fresh deaths during the period, the coronavirus fatalities rose to 12,376 in the country.

The total caseload now stands at 7,89,080 with the new ones, the handout added.