The government of Bangladesh has announced an extension of the ongoing countrywide lockdown till May 16 while allowing for the buses to resume operations within the district from May 6. <br />''<br />''However, inter-district movement of buses will remain suspended. <br />''<br />''Trains and waterway services will also continue to remain suspended in the country.<br />''<br />''The decision was taken on Monday during the weekly cabinet meeting Chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.<br />''<br />''Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told media after the cabinet meeting that local administration will strictly enforce the health regulations imposed on malls and shops. <br />''<br />''If they are found to violate the regulations, they will be shut, said the Cabinet Secretary.<br />''<br />''Bangladesh imposed a nationwide lockdown on April 5 as COVID 19 infections and deaths started rising alarmingly. <br />''<br />''Subsequently, the lockdown has been extended week after week. The latest round of the lockdown was scheduled to end on May 5. <br />''<br />''While the government announced the suspension of public transport, malls and shops and closure of offices as part of lockdown, over the weeks the restrictions have been relaxed. <br />''<br />''Domestic and international flights are now allowed on a restricted scale. Shops and malls can open for a certain period of time in the day. <br />''<br />''Factories were allowed to remain open right from the day lockdown was announced on April 5. Banks too have been functional for a limited time. <br />''<br />''Subsequent to the lockdown, critical indicators relating to the COVID 19 situation in the country has shown improvement. <br />''<br />''The daily death count has come down to 65 as on Monday from a level of over 100 deaths between April 16-19. <br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The sample positivity rate has also shown a sharp decline from over 23 percent on April 16 to 8.95 percent as on Monday, May 3.</span><br />