Hill Voice, 15 May 2020, Dhaka:  The government has issued a notification extending the general holiday till May 30, 2020 to prevent the spread of coronavirus. On 14 May 2020, Thursday, a notification was issued regarding the leave signed by Deputy Secretary of the Cabinet Division Abdul Wadud Chowdhury.

According to the gazette notification, the government has decided to extend the holiday on condition after May 16 considering the overall situation to prevent the spread of coronavirus. There will be a general holiday from 17 to 28 May. The general holidays will be accompanied by Shab-E-Qadar holidays on May 21, weekly holidays on May 22, 23, 29 and 30 and Eid holidays on May 24, 25 and 26.

It further said that this measure will not be applicable in case of emergency services (electricity, water, gas, fire service, cleaning service, telephone, internet etc.).

In addition, agricultural products, fertilizers, pesticides, energy, media (electronic and print), food, industrial products, medical equipment, transportation of emergency and daily necessities and raw markets, food, drug stores and hospitals will not fall under this holiday.

Offices can be kept open in case of emergency. If necessary, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and export-oriented industries can be kept open. Vehicles (trucks, lorries, cargo vessels) engaged in transporting all types of goods on roads and waterways will continue to move.

Besides, no educational institution can be kept open during holidays. The circular also said that Bangladesh Bank would give instructions to keep the banking system open during the holidays considering the needs of the people.

The first phase of holiday was declared from March 26 to April 4 due to the coronavirus. After that the leave was extended to 11 April. The holiday was extended for the third time till April 14. In the fourth phase, the leave was extended till April 25. In the fifth phase, the leave was extended from April 26 to May 5 and in the sixth phase from May 6 to May 16.