The government of Bangladesh on Monday extended the restrictions imposed in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic in the country till August 31.

The Cabinet Division of the government issued an order restricting movement of people out of their homes between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.Markets, shops and Shopping malls will operate only upto 8 p.m. They are also required to observe all the health related guidelines issued by the government.

The commercial outlets will ensure temperature checking, handwashing, sanitizing and vehicle disinfecting services for people visiting their premises. The social distancing norms are also to be observed.

Wearing masks while going out of home will continue to remain mandatory. People are also required to observe social distancing and other health norms prescribed by the authorities.

Private and government offices, transport services, banks and financial institutions, industries and factories will be allowed to operate by observing the health guidelines issued by the government.

All kinds of public transport will continue to operate maintaining the health guidelines. However, the international air services are operating only on a very limited scale.

Mosques will remain open for offering prayers by people but the authorities will ensure that the directives issued by the Religious Affairs ministry is followed.

Bangladesh reported 30 deaths and 1356 fresh Coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours since Sunday afternoon.The death toll in the country has gone up to 3184 and the number of people infected is now over 2.42 lakh.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is all set to hold the general elections tomorrow to elect a 225 member parliament with strict health guidelines amidst COVID situation. Over 7450 candidates are in fray for parliament seats while around 1.62 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. Around 400 voters, who are undergoing quarantine, will not be able to vote because of COVID.

Persons who have successfully completed the 14-day institutional quarantine and are undergoing home quarantine may vote at extra polling booths allocated for them. Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya has asserted that COVID will not be spread through polling stations. He said the voters are allowed to bring their own blue or black pen to cast their preferences and will be provided a disinfected pen if not having them. All the polling booths are being disinfected before the polling begins tomorrow at 7 AM.

The polling hours have been extended by an hour till 5 PM in wake of social distancing to be observed. The elections were postponed twice after the COVID outbreak as parliament was dissolved in early March. The ruling party under Prime minister Mahinda Rajpaksa is seeking two-thirds majority in parliament to implement policies of President Gotabaya Rajapksa and bring a new constitution.

The opposition is divided between two parties led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe and former minister Sajith Premadasa, who lost the Presidential elections last November. The new parliament is scheduled to have its first sitting on 20th of this month, which will be addressed by President.