After a massive surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh has decided to impose a seven-day countrywide lockdown from Monday (April 5), the full details of which are expected to be out by Saturday evening.

Announcing the decision during a media briefing today, Bangladesh's Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said factories can be operated on conditions.

The decision is being taken as per the recommendations made by the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 which had recommended "partial or modified" lockdown of "high-risk" areas.

According to the health directorate, the government has classified Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram as "high risk" zones. Four districts — Rangamati, Rajshahi, Rajbari, and Narsingdi — have been classified as "medium risk" zones while 27 have been bracketed as "low risk" zones.

The committee also suggested that the government increase the number of general and ICU beds at hospitals for coronavirus patients.

The country recorded 6,830 new Covid-19 positive cases on Friday with the death toll climbing by 50 in the last 24 hours.