Amid the growing concern over the Coronavirus' new Omicron variant, the government has imposed restrictions on public movement and other activities like operating public transport at their half capacities.

The Cabinet Division issued the notification on Monday which will take effect on January 13 and will remain in force until further notice.

In an effort to slow the virus transmission, the government took the decision after observing the outbreak of Omicron variant of Coronavirus and the overall Covid situation in the country.

The restrictions include

• All kinds of public gatherings, including social programmes, political and religious events will remain suspended until further notice.

• People have to wear masks everywhere, including shops, shopping malls, markets, hotels and restaurants. Otherwise, s/he will face legal action.

• The mask use should be ensured in all places, including offices and courts, and mobile court drives will be conducted to prevent the violation of health guidelines.

• People should show their Covid-19 vaccination certificates while taking food in restaurants and staying in residential hotels.

• Students above 12 would not be allowed at the educational institutions without having Covid-19 vaccination certificate after a designated date to be fixed by the Education Ministry.

• Increasing the number of screening at all ports, including land-ports, airports and maritime ports. The crewmembers of ships should not be allowed to go outside while arriving at a port while only truck drivers are allowed to enter land ports with trucks. Besides, visitors along with foreign-bound passengers should not be allowed to enter airports.

• Public transport, including buses, trains and launches can operate at half of their capacities while drivers and helpers of all modes of vehicles should have Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

• Passengers coming from abroad should show Covid vaccination certificates and should undergo Rapid Antigen tests upon arrival.

• Imams will make people aware about the health guidelines and the use of masks in all mosques during the 'khutba' of Jum'a prayers and the deputy commissioners and UNOs concerned will ensure that.

• Health and Family Welfare Ministry will take necessary steps to ensure Covid-19 vaccination and accelerate the activities of booster dose. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry will assist them in publicity.

• In the case of any special situation in any place, the local administration can take steps in consultation with the authorities concerned.

Covid situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is seeing a steep rise in Covid-19 cases as 2,231 more infections along with three more deaths were reported in 24 hours till Monday morning.

With the fresh cases reported after testing 26,143 samples, the daily positivity rate jumped again to 8.53 per cent from Sunday's 6.78 per cent during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The country last logged 2,325 cases on September 10, last year along with 38 deaths in 24 hours.

Bangladesh is currently seeing a surge of Covid-19 cases as health authorities logged 10,392 infections in the last 10 days since January 1.

The fresh numbers took the country's total fatalities to 28,105 while the caseload mounted to 15, 95, 931.