The ongoing lockdown could be relaxed for homebound people during the upcoming Eid, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

The return of several thousand Bangladeshi migrants to their workplaces abroad faced another blow as suspension of regular international flights to and from Bangladesh was extended for another week from April 22.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide financial assistance to some 36 lakh families who have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and recent natural disasters.

In the five days after the movement pass was introduced by police to ensure a “strict lockdown”, going to workplaces has been the most common reason for people availing the passes.

The return of several thousand Bangladeshi expatriate workers to their workplaces abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia, suffered a major blow yesterday due to cancellation of eight flights from Dhaka.

A staggering 44 percent Covid-19 patients had to be hospitalised between late January and mid-April, according to data of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) released yesterday.

When last year the country faced for the first time a Pahela Baishakh indoors, or the first day of Ramadan without family and celebration, the new reality was adopted with much gusto.

Saying that around 20,000 to 25,000 expatriate workers will face uncertainty about reaching their workplaces abroad, Baira and Atab yesterday demanded to keep international flight operation out of the purview of weeklong lockdown begins from this morning.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said ensuring global peace has become far more challenging than in the past due to the pandemic.

With the government announcing restrictions on businesses and people’s movements to curb the spike in coronavirus cases and deaths, speakers at a discussion yesterday urged for a balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods.

Health officials reported 78 deaths from Covid-19 yesterday, the highest in a day since the first three cases of coronavirus were detected last year.

Two supporters of rival Dakshin Ulania union chairperson candidates were killed in a clash in Barishal’s Mehendiganj upazila early yesterday.

Hefajat-e-Islam would not tolerate closure of Qawmi madrasas and restrictions on offering Tarabi prayers at mosques during Ramadan in the name of stopping the spread of coronavirus, said its Ameer Junayed Babunagari yesterday.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen underscored the need for meaningful mutual cooperation, improvement in response to health-related emergency situations, and an increase in female participation to tackle the challenges posed by the unprecedented pandemic in establishing world peace.

The Chinese government will soon send five lakh jabs of Covid-19 vaccines, developed by their state-owned drug maker Sinopharm, to Bangladesh as gift, health officials said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said it is now more important than ever to work together for building a better future.

Motorcyclists, who operate their vehicles under different ride-sharing services, staged demonstrations in different parts of the city yesterday.

Traders took to the streets again yesterday, demanding that the government allow shopping malls, markets and shops in the capital and in other districts to open.

With fresh Covid-19 cases crossing 7,000-mark for the second consecutive day yesterday, Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam said they would make decision on extension of ongoing restriction in a meeting on Thursday.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday said people will not be allowed to have iftar and sehri at mosques during Ramadan.