The country's hotels and restaurants may be in danger again. It is feared that new restrictions will be imposed due to the new variant of coronavirus, Omicron. However, the government has not yet set a deadline for selling food in the lockdown.

A statement signed by the director of the disease control branch of the health department, Prof Dr. Nazmul Islam, on Sunday (November 26th) called for strict implementation of the measures.

Extreme caution is needed in South Africa and other countries after the discovery of the new variant of coronavirus, Omicron. The World Health Organization has warned all countries about this.

To prevent this new variant, hotel-restaurant seating arrangements need to be halved or less. At the same time, half of the capacity or less can participate in public gatherings, tourist spots, recreation centers, resorts, community centers, cinema halls, theater halls, and social events (weddings, weddings, birthdays, picnics, parties, etc.).

The Department of Health also said that measures should be taken to discourage all kinds of social, political, religious, and other public gatherings.

According to the Restaurant Owners Association, there are about 8,000 restaurants in the Dhaka metropolis and about two and a half lakh workers work in this sector.

Bangladesh reported three deaths and 2,087 cases from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours till 8am Tuesday. 

The positivity rate was recorded at 15.47% during the same period after testing 13,489 samples across the country. 

So far, 29,145 people have died and 19,69,361 tested positive for the virus in Bangladesh since 2020. 

Meanwhile, 200 Covid patients were cured in the last 24 hours recording the recovery rate at 96.84%.

Ferries from Mawa terminal will operate as per people’s demand, said State Minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday.

“We did not stop ferry services in the Padma River after the opening of the Padma Bridge as currently six ferries are operating on the route. As per the government decision the ferry operation will continue,” he said.

The minister said these while talking to reporters after attending an award giving ceremony at the ministry.

Talking about the removal of nuts from the Padma Bridge by a person, Khalid said it was the ornament of the Padma Bridge and someone attempted to snatch it.

Talking about the ban on plying motorbike on the Padma Bridge, Khalid said the government has suspended plying of motorbikes on the Padma Bridge and the decision may change after installation of speed gun and CCTV on the bridge.

Referring to the development of river routes across the country, the state minister said, “We are taking initiatives keeping the development of river routes in mind and the bridges are being constructed without hampering navigability of rivers.”

Bikes will be allowed on the Padma Bridge after installing CCTVs and speed ​​guns, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.

"Speed ​​guns and CCTV will be installed. After they are set up, maybe a new decision will be taken," the minister said responding to reporters' questions at a programme on Tuesday (28 June).

The state minister said that the government's move on motorcycles running over the Padma Bridge was not an indefinite decision.

He also said that the ferry will run as per the demand.

"Padma Bridge does not mean that other communications will be closed. Even yesterday ferry was plying through Shimulia, Majhighat. We will use it as we see fit," he added. 

"We did not stop the ferry, there are 6 ferries operating according to demand. We are taking time, people's emotions about the Padma Bridge are being expressed in many ways. There are many positive-negative feelings," the minister further said. 

Responding to a question about the frustration of the launch owners due to the shortage of passengers, he said, "We are optimistic. Why are we building 10 thousand kilometers of waterways? There is a demand for it. The Prime Minister is not doing anything unnecessary. I think the launch ride will be more enjoyable in the future." 

The Bridges Division on Sunday (26 June) decided to prohibit motorcycles from plying on Padma Bridge until further notice from 27 June. 

Long queues of buses, trucks, cars, motorcycles, and ambulances were seen waiting in hundreds on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway till the gates of the bridge opened at 6am Sunday. 

People started thronging the Mawa point of the bridge since it opened to the public t to cross the bridge at first chance. Meanwhile, many people were seen breaking the rules imposed by the authorities for the security and protection of the Padma Bridge.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed all cities of the country to overpass railway signals, said Planning Minister MA Mannan.

ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting on Tuesday (June 28) by joining the NEC conference room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar via video conference from Ganobhaban.

Cconcerned ministers, state ministers and secretaries were present in the NEC conference room. After the ECNEC meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan gave details at a press conference.

Highlighting the directives of the Prime Minister, the Planning Minister said that the Prime Minister has directed to construct railway overpasses in all the cities in phases instead of rail crossings.

The planning minister further said that the prime minister has urged to increase spice cultivation and research. Besides, the Prime Minister has asked the government to take up the project by diverting the Sylhet-Sunamganj flood-cut road and constructing a bridge there instead of rebuilding it. The flow of water cannot be obstructed.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 10 projects at a cost of Tk 2,216.75 crore. Of this, Tk 1,875 crore will be available from government funds and Tk 341 crore from foreign loans.

ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting on Tuesday (June 28) by joining the NEC conference room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar via video conference from Ganobhaban.

Concerned Ministers, State Ministers and Secretaries were present in the NEC Conference Room. After the ECNEC meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan gave details at a press conference.

The projects approved by ECNEC are: Sustainable Agricultural Extension in Jessore Region; Expansion of improved varieties and technologies of spices; Construction of 81st km Railway Bazar Railway Overpass on Kushtia (Trimohoni) -Meherpur-Chuadanga-Jhenaidah (R-745) Regional Highway; construction of PC girder bridge and RCC box culvert on the site of dilapidated, narrow Bailey Bridge on Pirojpur section of Charkhali-Tuskhali-Mathbaria-Patharghata Highway (Z-8701); Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive (1.60 km to 32 km) road widening; Construction of Railway Overpass in Gatepar area of Jamalpur city (1st Amendment); Construction of Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Buildings in 64 District Headquarters of Bangladesh (Phase 1) (3rd Amendment); Expansion of MES (Military Engineer Services) physical infrastructure facilities in Dhaka Cantonment; Water supply and sanitation in Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's Bazar district.