Decision on reopening businesses before Eid ul-Fitr likely today

To discuss overall situation of the country in the face of economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, an inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled to be held on Sunday. A decision on reopening businesses including shopping malls ahead of Eid ul-Fitr may also come from the meeting.

Since businesses and economic activities grind to a halt, the meeting will discuss finding a way to relax lockdown gradually in relatively less-affected areas to facilitate reopening of businesses, said a number of members of the national committee to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque, who is the chief of the committee, will head the meeting at the secretariat. Secretaries of commerce, labour, finance ministries, and other stakeholders are expected to attend the meeting.

Talking with The Business Post on Saturday, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said, “We can’t afford to continue this lockdown for a long period as people are suffering and the economy is slowing down. There is a discussion in the government on how to lift lockdown minimising health risk.”

“Health minister called a meeting tomorrow (today) with the relevant stakeholders to find a way to relax or lift lockdown gradually,” he added.

“I think the government is heading towards lifting lockdown gradually as garment factories have been reopened for operation and business hours for shoppers have been relaxed, indicating the intention of the government,” he continued.

Commerce Secretary Jafar Uddin, who will join the meeting, told The Business Post that the government is planning to reopen businesses on a limited scale following health compliance.

“Our economy can’t afford lockdown month after month considering the livelihood of the people. If the country remains in complete lockdown, people will lose job and their livelihood will be at stake.”

The Business Post tried to reach Health Minister Zahid Maleque, but he did not pick up the phone.

Earlier, on March 24, the government imposed a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the wake of four deaths and at least 39 infections. It later extended the lockdown in phases, with the recent deadline ending on May 5.

Meanwhile, the government allowed reopening of garment factories, selling of Iftar items at hotels and restaurants, and relaxing business hour of shops.

To rescue the economy hard hit by the lockdown caused by coronavirus pandemic, the government announced stimulus packages worth around Tk 1 lakh crore.

Coronavirus has so far infected 8,790 people in the country. Some 175 people died from this virus.

sh/at/nm