Strict 7-day lockdown in Chapainawabganj amid Covid-19 surge

Authorities have put Chapainawabganj district under a 7-day strict lockdown following a surge in Covid-19 infections.

The measure came after the district, which shares border with West Bengal, reported an alarming 55 percent positivity rate out of tested samples, Deputy Commissioner of the district Monjurul Hafeez said at a press briefing on Monday.

He described the virus situation in the district as "severe".

He implied that the Indian Covid-19 variant might be responsible for the surge.

“The Indian variant may have spread in the district despite ensuring a 14-day institutional quarantine for all India returnees,” he said.

The strict lockdown means no transports can either enter or leave the district during lockdown and all forms of inter-district communications will also remain halted except emergency vehicles. 

All shops except pharmacies will also remain shut during the curbs. The decision came at a time when the nationwide ongoing lockdown is being eased.

Restrictions on public transportations have been lifted in the country.