Govt offices involved in emergency services reopen

All the ministries, divisions and their subordinate offices involved in providing emergency services will remain open on a limited scale from Sunday during the extended general holidays, the secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration has said.

Shaikh Yusuf Harun told The Business Standard on Sunday the order had come into effect on Sunday.

He said a decision was made on April 23 to keep 18 ministries and divisions open.

"But later, a letter was sent to all the ministries, divisions and their subordinate offices to keep those open on a limited scale to fulfill emergency needs."

The government on April 23 extended the general holidays until May 5. On the same day, the Ministry of Public Administration issued an order for government offices at division, district and upazila levels under 18 ministries and divisions, saying those would remain open on a limited scale.

The divisional, district and upazila offices under the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Division, agriculture ministry, commerce ministry, food ministry, public administration ministry, information ministry, disaster management and relief ministry, social welfare ministry, women and children affairs ministry, shipping ministry, fisheries and livestock ministry, Health Services Division, Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, Rural Development and Cooperative Division, Public Security Division, Security Services Division and Local Government Division reopened on Sunday.

Meanwhile, all other government officials have been directed to stay in their respective offices mandatorily during the general holidays.

This time, a few medicine and export-oriented industry factories were allowed to run by maintaining proper safety and hygiene of the workers.

On March 23, the government initially declared a 10-day shutdown, effective from March 26 to April 4. Later on, the shutdown was gradually extended until April 25 to ensure social distancing.

The government has restricted movement after 6pm, instructing everyone to stay at home. Violation of this directive has, at times, resulted in legal action.

The death toll from the deadly coronavirus in Bangladesh reached 145 and the number of infected persons stood at 5,416 as of Sunday.