Lockdown again if coronavirus situation worsens further

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain has said that lockdown may be imposed again if the coronavirus infection situation in the country worsens further.

“If the coronavirus situation deteriorates, the government may adopt two separate strategies. One is imposing restriction or lockdown and the other is lifting all the restrictions. Whatever the strategy the government adopts, everybody will have to wear mask,” he said while talking to journalists at the secretariat in the capital on Thursday (August 12).

The State Minister said the coronavirus situation prevailing in the country is not ‘satisfactory.’

“Lockdown restrictions have been relaxed responding to the demands of people of different professions though the situation prevailing in the country is not satisfactory,” he said.

Farhad Hossain said coronavirus infection will have to bring down below 5 per cent.

He said the Cabinet Division issued a notification on Thursday allowing to reopen resorts, tourism and entertainment spots with their half capacities on August 19 by maintaining COVID-19 health protocols.

Besides, permission was given to operate mass transports from August 19.

“We are taking all kinds of steps keeping life and livelihood of people in mind. However, lockdown may be imposed again if the coronavirus infection situation turns worse. If the coronavirus situation deteriorates, the government may adopt two separate strategies. One is imposing restriction or lockdown and the other is lifting all the restrictions. Whatever the strategy the government adopts, everybody will have to wear mask,” he said.

Referring to strategies adopted in Australia, the state minister said army was deployed to help enforce lockdown in Sydney. Even, curfew was imposed there. Lockdown was also imposed in the United States. There is no alternative to lockdown.

“Now, we must have to give highest priority to health guidelines. We hope that all will start working in their respective fields wearing masks and maintaining physical distance. We have law regarding infectious diseases. If someone breaches the laws, action will be taken against him or her,” he said.

Farhad Hossain said: ” We must have to be habituated to this lifestyle. We must have to coordinate both the strategies. The government has done enough to check coronavirus infection. Otherwise, there could be an explosion of coronavirus infection in Bangladesh.”