Tens of thousands of migrant workers fled Dhaka on Sunday (June 27) on the eve of government-imposed Covid-19 lockdown, to avoid being confined to their homes.
The resurgence of infections, with over 5,000 new cases and a pandemic-high of 119 deaths on Sunday, has prompted the government to toughen restrictions in stages from Monday, with economic activity – including shops, markets, transportation and offices – to shut down by Thursday.
Infections declined in May but started to rise again this month, according to the health ministry.
People will be ordered to stay at homes while only emergency services and export-oriented factories continue operations during the lockdown.
Lockdown rules and restrictions on activities and movement have been in place since mid-April as cases and deaths jumped.
The coming closure has sparked an exodus from Dhaka, the capital. (Source: The Straits Times)