Curbs relaxed amid fear of virus surge

With most of the restrictions on movement of people and public transports lifted today, health experts warn of a further a surge in Covid deaths and infections.

Yesterday, the country logged 264 deaths, which matched a previous daily record on August 5, taking the virus death toll to 23,161.

The number of deaths in the first 10 days of this month was high -- more than 247 a day on average -- because of higher infection rates, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

In the preceding 10 days, 218 Covid deaths were logged a day on average.

Experts fear that the lifting of the restrictions will lead to a further rise in virus transmission across the country.

Yesterday, 11,164 out of 53,462 samples tested positive for Covid, raising the total number of cases to 13,76,322.

The Covid positivity rate stood at 23.54 percent.

The World health Organization last year advised governments to consider reopening only when the positivity rate remains below 5 percent for two weeks at a stretch.

"With the lifting of the restrictions, more people will now go outside and get infected with the novel coronavirus. We will see more pressure on hospitals and a further rise in deaths in the days to come," Prof Ridwanur Rahman, an infectious disease specialist, told this newspaper yesterday.

"Despite the weak enforcement of restrictions, many people did not go outside. The suspension of inter-district bus services had a positive impact and helped check virus transmission," he observed.

Talking to this correspondent, Dr Mushtuq Hussain, consultant at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said, "When social gatherings will increase, virus transmission will rise too. This may drive up infections."

Both the experts said the infection rate was in decline since August 2 as a result of imposition of the Covid restrictions by the government. These restrictions should have been in force for at least two more weeks.

DGHS data shows that the Covid positivity rate on August 2 was 29.91 percent, which continued to fall till yesterday.

A government circular on Sunday said public transports -- buses, trains and launches -- will be allowed to carry passengers at full capacity from today.

However, only half of any transport fleet will be allowed to ply the roads, raising concern over shortage of transports on weekdays.

All public, private and autonomous offices, banks and financial institutions will reopen.

Shopping malls, markets, shops and restaurants will be allowed to stay open from 10:00am to 8:00pm every day.

All restaurants will have to keep half the seats vacant. Earlier, those were allowed to offer only takeaway services from 8:00am to 8:00pm every day.

All mills and factories will be allowed to be reopen.

Earlier, the government allowed only export-oriented mills and factories to reopen from August 1 after nine days of shutdown from July 23.

In all cases, wearing of facemasks and adherence to the health safety guidelines issued by the DGHS have to be ensured.

The authorities concerned have to bear responsibility if there is any negligence in following the guidelines for public transport, offices and markets, and legal action will be taken against them, read the government circular.

The Supreme Court will give necessary directives regarding courts, it mentioned.