Stricter lockdown from Thursday, armed forces to be deployed

Stricter lockdown will be enforced from 6am July 1 to 12am July 7. Everyone has been asked to stay at home as there is no movement passes this in phase, said cabinet Khandker secretary Anwarul Islam.  

Members of armed forces will be vigilant apart from police and BGB to ensure implementation of the fresh directives, added he.

Anwarul Islam said this while talking to newsmen at the secretariat after regular cabinet meeting on Monday (June 28).

“People will have to stay home and be allowed to go out only for emergency purposes, such as medical reasons or for attending funerals,” he added.

Earlier on the day, the meeting was held at the parliament with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The cabinet secretary on Monday also said that the government will primarily observe the lockdown for seven days. “If needed, it will be extended.”

Detailed instructions regarding the restrictions will be given on Tuesday, he added.

“This can be called lockdown, shutdown, etc. It will be decided tomorrow

Meanwhile, transports and shopping malls have been kept closed while public and private offices will run with a limited number of manpower. Law enforcers are vigilant with tougher action to implement the curbing measures.

However, rickshaws and private vehicles were seen dominating the Dhaka streets on the first day of the “limited lockdown.” People including office-goers were seen waiting on roads for a long time for rickshaws or motorbikes to reach their destinations.