Hill Voice, 4 May 2020, Dhaka:  In order to prevent the transmission of coronavirus, the term of the 6th phase of the ongoing public holiday in government and non-government offices of the country has been extended till 18 May.

The Public Administration Ministry has issued a notification in this regard on Monday, 4 May 2020.

Even if the holiday is extended, emergency services like water, electricity, gas, telephone and internet will continue.

Extending the April 23 holiday to May 5, the government said it would be able to open garments, pharmaceuticals and export-oriented companies to ensure the safety of workers.

It is to be noted that due to coronavirus, in the first phase, leave was given from March 26 to April 4. After that the leave was extended to 11 April. The holiday was extended for the third time till April 14. After that the leave was extended till April 25 in the fourth phase and May 5 in the fifth phase.

Explaining the reason for the initiative to extend the ‘holiday’ in official language, a senior official of the Ministry of Public Administration said, ‘Office & Court cannot be started in this situation as the infection of coronavirus is increasing. We have to extend the holiday.’

Besides, everyone has to stay in their own house. Like many other countries in the world, 160 million people in Bangladesh are under house arrest.

All educational institutions and coaching centers in the country have been closed since March 17. The HSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for start from April 1 have also been postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic.