Bangladesh bans public gatherings from 13 Jan as Covid cases spike

The Cabinet Division has announced a set of restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 effective from 13 January.

The restrictions include limiting passengers in public transports, banning all kinds of social, political, and religious gatherings in open places, and mandatory wearing of face masks. 

• Public transport, including buses, trains and launches will have to carry passengers half of their capacity while inoculation is a must for transport drivers and helpers. The authorities concern will issue seperate guidelines in this regard.  
• People have to wear masks in all public places including shopping malls, markets, hotels, and restaurants, Otherwise, they have to face legal action.
• The government will operate mobile courts to ensure compliance with health guidelines and people have to show proof of vaccination to dine at restaurants and rent hotels.
• Students aged above 12 will not be allowed to attend in-person classes after 15 January unless they are vaccinated. 
• Screening facilities at land, sea and airports have to be increased. 
• Inbound passengers have to show vaccination certificates and take antigen test upon arrival. 
• Local administration will take necessary steps if any special circumstances arise somewhere.

The country witnessed an overwhelming surge in infections as 2,231 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours till 8am Monday. 

Also, the current positivity rate jumped to 8.53%, from 6.78% the day before, maintaining an upward trend for the last few weeks. 

Bangladesh so far logged 28,105 deaths and 15,95,931 infections since the outbreak in 2020.