Dhaka streets and highways are witnessing heavy traffic as the government withdrew the nationwide “strict lockdown” for a week from today, amid fears of further spike in coronavirus transmission.

After a lockdown induced break, Bangladesh Railway (BR) resumed operations this morning.

The cabinet division yesterday asked people to avoid all sorts of public gatherings, wear masks and follow the health rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The government considers allowing garment factories to be open so that the biggest export-earning sector can continue production and keep their commitment with international buyers.

The government has taken up an initiative to introduce telemedicine service at 16,000 community hospitals across the country and bring 2000 hospitals under purview of digital service, said state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today warned that no irregularity will be tolerated in distributing stimulus packages, announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for those affected due to the pandemic’s impact. 

The Cabinet Division directed cattle market management committee to bar both the elderly and children from entering cattle markets.

The government yesterday announced a Tk 3,200 crore relief package for the ultra-poor and destitute families and the tourism sector -- segments that were dealt a fresh blow by the latest round of hard lockdown to contain the second wave of Covid-19 cases.

Relaxing the ongoing restrictions for eight days from tomorrow for the Eid-ul-Azha, the government yesterday decided to enforce a stricter lockdown across the country for two weeks from July 23 to rein in Covid infections.

Chattogram civil surgeon today asked Anwara upazila health and family welfare officer for an explanation on the photo published in media which showed Covid-19 vaccines being carried in an “unsafe way” from Chattogram Civil Surgeon office EPI store to the upazila.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will be holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from India, China and Russia in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent where he will seek cooperation for speedy vaccine supply and solving Rohingya crisis.

The local administration in consultation with public representatives and local dignitaries will decide whether Eid-ul-Azha prayers will be held at mosques, Eidgah or open space depending on the intensity of coronavirus infection in each locality.

Water transport service will operate for eight days from July 15, 12am onwards, across the country.

Police have arrested 552 people for defying Covid-19 lockdown rules in Dhaka today.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim has inaugurated the digital cattle market across the country today.

Chief of Army Staff SM Shafiuddin Ahmed distributed essential food items among 5,000 jobless and destitute people at Khulna stadium today.

In addition to online cattle markets in preparation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, in-person cattle markets will be set up across the country in accordance with proper hygiene rules and other government guidelines, said the Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today announced five new stimulus packages of Tk 3,200 crore for low-income people, who have been hit hard by the ongoing restrictions imposed due to coronavirus, according to a government circular.

The closure of Dhaka-Chattogram highway, due to the repair work of Langalbandh bridge in ​​Bandar upazila of Narayanganj, created severe traffic congestion on the route since this morning.

The Cabinet Division has issued a gazette notification, saying that a two-week countrywide "strict lockdown" will start from July 23, 6:00am after an eight-day break.