What's the government response timeline for Bangladesh?

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has in a letter asked the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh to act to avoid the possible risk related to the Chinese virus, Meerjady Sabrina Flora, a director at the institute, said on Monday, reports bdnews24. The government’s disease wing has also trained health workers at the airports for detection of patients with symptoms of coronavirus infection, which include fever, coughing, and difficulty with breathing, she said. “We are closely monitoring the matter…We are alert and prepared,” she added.; https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/bangladesh-airports-on-alert-for-deadly-coronavirus-spreading-from-china-1579583554

Screening starts at Dhaka airports. Link: http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/233343

Bangladesh FETP fellows and graduates are working in all of the processes associated with meeting these objectives, including: responding to health hotline calls from airline passengers 24/7 and collecting clinical and epidemiological data from the callers, identifying suspected cases and sending rapid response teams for sample collection, preparing and managing the day-to-day activities of quarantine camps for Bangladeshi citizens returning from Wuhan, developing guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and preparing daily press releases. Bangladesh FETP fellows are ready to conduct case investigations and contact tracing if the need arises. Since this is a secondary source, coded as more cautious 1. https://www.tephinet.org/fetp-activities-in-response-to-coronavirus-disease-19-covid-19

While the originally linked press release ( https://www.iedcr.gov.bd/index.php/component/content/article/11-others/227-pressrelease) is no longer available, this photo from GettyImages shows Bangladeshi students wearing facemasks on January 29, indicating that a public health campaign was in place. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/bangladeshi-students-wear-masks-for-protection-against-news-photo/1197376807#/web/20200604225455mp_/ https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/ There is also this leaflet from unicef that seems to be from early February; https://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/media/3506/file/Coronavirus_leaflet_Bangla.pdf (linked in an article dated February 8: https://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/en/stories/coronavirus-disease-covid). Hence 2G is maintained as coding.

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-05.pdf?sfvrsn=23b90f3c_8

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-05.pdf?sfvrsn=23b90f3c_8

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-04.pdf?sfvrsn=69b6d931_8

On 16 March, government officials advised individuals to limit gatherings; all educational institutions, sports, and many other domestic activities are suspended until at least Tuesday, March 31, including all Mujib Year celebrations. Source: https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/323411/bangladesh-government-orders-quarantine-for-all-international-arrivals-march-16-update-1

All international arrivals must self-quarantine for 14 days as of March 16. See: https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/323411/bangladesh-government-orders-quarantine-for-all-international-arrivals-march-16-update-1

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/03/19/shibchar-put-on-emergency-lockdown and https://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/shibchar-looks-deserted-four-wards-under-lockdown-58900

On 19 March, the government instructed the local administrations to stop all political and religious rallies, social and cultural gatherings. Source: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-04.pdf?sfvrsn=69b6d931_8 On 25 March, Bangladesh went into a total lockdown, which was extended till 25 April on 10 April. Sources: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-imposes-total-lockdown-over-covid-19/1778272 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-extends-restrictions-as-virus-death-toll-up/1799380

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/03/19/shibchar-put-on-emergency-lockdown and https://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/shibchar-looks-deserted-four-wards-under-lockdown-58900

On 19 March, Sibchar district went into emergency lockdown. “During the lockdown, no one can enter the area and no one can leave. Everyone has to stay at home. Only emergency services will remain active,” said Shibchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Asaduzzaman at an emergency press conference. Source: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/03/19/shibchar-put-on-emergency-lockdown

On 19 March, Sibchar district went into emergency lockdown. “During the lockdown, no one can enter the area and no one can leave. Everyone has to stay at home. Only emergency services will remain active,” said Shibchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Asaduzzaman at an emergency press conference. Source: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/03/19/shibchar-put-on-emergency-lockdown

19 March: Bangladesh Bank (BB) announces moratorium on loan payments until 30 June 2020 and that such borrowers will not be in default. The central bank on Thursday issued a circular asking all scheduled banks not to classify any loan till June 30, even if a borrower fails to repay banks. While this measure applies to all types of loans, it does not relieve any other kind of contracts, hence coded as 1. https://tbsnews.net/economy/banking/businesses-get-6-month-moratorium-loan-repayments-58384

On 21 March, the government cancelled all state public programs and events, including celebration of the Independence Day. Source: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-04.pdf?sfvrsn=69b6d931_8 On 25 March, Bangladesh went into a total lockdown, which was extended till 25 April on 10 April. Sources: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-imposes-total-lockdown-over-covid-19/1778272 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-extends-restrictions-as-virus-death-toll-up/1799380

Video from NGO that portrays the closure of schools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_9NnVjlI88&feature=emb_logo

On 25 March, Bangladesh went into a total lockdown. "The government also decided to suspend all domestic commercial flights from midnight Tuesday until further notice as part of efforts to encourage people to stay home to contain the outbreak." Sources: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-imposes-total-lockdown-over-covid-19/1778272

On 25 March, Bangladesh went into a total lockdown, which was extended till 25 April on 10 April. During the lockdown, all passenger travel via water, rail and on domestic air routes was banned starting March 24 while all public transport on roads was suspended from March 26. Sources: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-imposes-total-lockdown-over-covid-19/1778272 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-extends-restrictions-as-virus-death-toll-up/1799380

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-04.pdf?sfvrsn=69b6d931_8

The start of shutdown began an on March 26. See article from WEF: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/in-bangladesh-covid-19-could-cause-a-humanitarian-crisis/ See a press report: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/03/26/soft-lockdown-over-covid-19-welcome-step-but-is-it-enough

There will be limited circulation of public transports. See: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-04.pdf?sfvrsn=69b6d931_8

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-04.pdf?sfvrsn=69b6d931_8

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-06.pdf?sfvrsn=36254da0_6

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-06.pdf?sfvrsn=36254da0_6

4 April – Waiver on Credit Card: The banks are instructed not to deduct any fees/charges/interest against late payment of credit card bill from 15 March 2020 to 31 May 2020. In addition to the already formulated regulations on March 19, this raises to the level of a broad contract relief, hence upgraded to 2. https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/bangladesh-government-and-institution-measures-in-response-to-covid.html

The government is providing food assistance in a few pockets of the population such as brothels and Rohingya camps. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/06/bangladesh-sends-food-aid-to-sex-workers-as-industry-goes-into-lockdown

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-06.pdf?sfvrsn=36254da0_6

Link 1 (Bangladesh shuts all educational institutions starting from 17th March): https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-shuts-all-educational-institutions/1767425 Link 2 (Lockdown extended): https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-extends-shutdown-until-april-11/1786610 Link 3: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-extends-restrictions-as-virus-death-toll-up/1799380 Quote: "According to a gazette issued by the Public Administration Ministry, after Friday evening "no one will be allowed to leave home" with some exceptions for essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire brigade, telephone and internet." UNESCO School Closure (Bangladesh schools remain close): https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

Quote: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-07.pdf?sfvrsn=8ebbdd17_6 LInk: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-07.pdf?sfvrsn=8ebbdd17_6 Quote: Bangladesh on April 10 extended the lockdown to April 25.State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said, “We’ve decided to extend the nationwide shutdown of offices and workplaces to May 5,” Link: https://www.thestatesman.com/world/bangladesh-govt-extend-shutdown-covid-19-situation-worsens-1502879962.html

On 10 April, the government extended the lockdown till 25 April and announced that tougher restrictions on public movement. According to a gazette issued by the Public Administration Ministry, after Friday evening "no one will be allowed to leave home" with some exceptions for essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire brigade, telephone and internet. Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-extends-restrictions-as-virus-death-toll-up/1799380

Quote: The government has extended the ongoing suspension of all types of public transport operations till April 25 -- to contain the spread of coronavirus. Link: https://www.thedailystar.net/coronavirus-deadly-new-threat/news/suspension-public-transport-continue-till-april-25-1891897

13 April: Informal sector workers (such day laborers, rickshaw and van pullers, motor workers, construction workers, newspaper hawkers, hotels and restaurant workers) who became jobless due to the lockdown to receive a one-time cash payment from the government with the fund totaling BDT 7.6bn (approx. USD91mn). While it is not clear from media reports or the government's document how much each individual is receiving, it will likely be below the median income, hence coded as 1; https://www.newagebd.net/article/104341/tk-760cr-cash-incentive-for-jobless-informal-workers-pm; https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/bangladesh-government-and-institution-measures-in-response-to-covid.html; https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Ban on high-risk countries (refer to point 1 and 2) Link: https://caab.portal.gov.bd/site/notices/e9172346-d6db-425c-854d-75007c5529fa/Suspension-of-Schedule-International-Flights-To-From-bd

Link: https://www.iedcr.gov.bd/index.php/component/content/article/73-ncov-2019 (Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update) via Government of People's Republic of Bangladesh Director General of Health Services website.

"Bangladesh will extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown against the coronavirus pandemic until May 16" https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-to-extend-lockdown-until-may-16/1826659

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-to-extend-lockdown-until-may-16/1826659 https://www.news18.com/news/world/bangladesh-extends-nationwide-lockdown-till-may-16-confirmed-cases-cross-10000-2605403.html "Readymade garments, pharmaceutical, and export-oriented industries are allowed to open if they follow social distancing measures and government guidelines"

"Bangladesh will extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown against the coronavirus pandemic until May 16" https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-to-extend-lockdown-until-may-16/1826659

"Bangladesh will extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown against the coronavirus pandemic until May 16" https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-to-extend-lockdown-until-may-16/1826659

"Bangladesh will extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown against the coronavirus pandemic until May 16" https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-to-extend-lockdown-until-may-16/1826659

"Bangladesh will extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown against the coronavirus pandemic until May 16" https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/covid-19-bangladesh-to-extend-lockdown-until-may-16/1826659

3 May – Postponed charging interest on loans: BB instructed banks not to charge customers interest (on loans disbursed before 1 April 2020) until further notice.; https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/bangladesh-government-and-institution-measures-in-response-to-covid.html

The government on 7 May 2020 approved draft legislation to extend the time for taxpayers to file their tax returns and to pay their taxes as relief measures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/bangladesh-tax-developments-in-response-to-covid-19.html

10 May - Workers lay-off prohibition: Ministry of Labour has prohibited garments and other factories from laying off workers ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities. Furthermore, such factories are mandated to pay a full month’s salary to workers who have worked full or part of the month in April. Workers who have not been able to work at all during April shall be entitled to receive 65% of the month’s pay. https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/bangladesh-government-and-institution-measures-in-response-to-covid.html

Since there is no evidence for any ongoing support other than the one time cash payment announced on April 14, downgraded to 0 after one month

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

Suspension of commercial flight extended till 30th May. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 MONETARY AND MACRO-FINANCIAL • The focus of Bangladesh Bank (BB) is to ensure that there is adequate liquidity in the financial system to support the operations of financial institutions, and it has announced that it will buy treasury bonds and bills from banks. The repo rate was lowered from 6 percent to 5.75 percent effective March 24th and was further reduced to 5.25 percent effective April 12. The CRR was initially reduced from 5 percent to 4.5 percent (daily-basis) and from 5.5 percent to 5 percent (bi-weekly basis), with a further reduction to 3.5 percent and 4 percent, respectively, from April 15. BB has also raised the advance-deposit ratio (ADR) and investment-deposit ratio (IDR) by 2 percent to facilitate credit to the private sector and improve liquidity in the banking system. The Export Development Fund was raised to $5 billion, with the interest rate now fixed at 2 percent and the refinancing limit increased. BB has created several refinancing schemes amounting to a total of Tk 380 billion and a 360-day tenor special repo facility to support exporters, farmers and to facilitate the implementation of the government stimulus packages. To further support farmers, BB also announced an agriculture subsidy program that will take effect for 15 months until mid-2021. In addition, BB has taken measures to delay non-performing loan classification, waive credit card fees and interests, suspend loan interest payments, impose restrictions on bank dividend payments, extend tenures of trade instruments, and ensure access to financial services. EXCHANGE RATE AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS Foreign exchange rules were eased by Bangladesh Bank to provide foreign currency to the Bangladeshi nationals who are visiting abroad and facing problem in returning home due to travel disruptions, and to allow foreign owned/controlled companies operating in Bangladesh to access short term working capital loans from their parent companies/shareholders abroad to meet actual needs for payments of 3-month wages and salary. It also resumed sales of the US dollar to offset extra pressure on the market caused by lower remittance inflows following the COVID-19 outbreak.

https://corona.gov.bd/press-release https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

The Awami League government lifted its nationwide two-month lockdown on May 31 and, apart from educational institutes, gave the go-ahead for almost all business and government offices, public transport, as well as the garment and other manufacturing industries, to reopen. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

The Awami League government lifted its nationwide two-month lockdown on May 31 and, apart from educational institutes, gave the go-ahead for almost all business and government offices, public transport, as well as the garment and other manufacturing industries, to reopen. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

The Awami League government lifted its nationwide two-month lockdown on May 31 and, apart from educational institutes, gave the go-ahead for almost all business and government offices, public transport, as well as the garment and other manufacturing industries, to reopen. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

Vehicles can move all over the country with passengers maintaining proper health hygiene The government has decided to allow limited operation of public transport, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain has said. “The prime minister has directed to operate public transports on roads and waterways as well as trains with limited passengers from May 31,” the state minister said on Wednesday. “Really we do not know how many more days we have to fight against the Covid-19 virus, and no medicine has yet been discovered. Therefore, we are going to open all types of government, semi-government and private offices,” he said. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/05/27/state-minister-limited-public-transport-from-may-31 https://bangla.dhakatribune.com/dynamics/mostlatestnews

Vehicles can move all over the country with passengers maintaining proper health hygiene The government has decided to allow limited operation of public transport, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain has said. “The prime minister has directed to operate public transports on roads and waterways as well as trains with limited passengers from May 31,” the state minister said on Wednesday. “Really we do not know how many more days we have to fight against the Covid-19 virus, and no medicine has yet been discovered. Therefore, we are going to open all types of government, semi-government and private offices,” he said.

Vehicles can move all over the country with passengers maintaining proper health hygiene The government has decided to allow limited operation of public transport, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain has said. “The prime minister has directed to operate public transports on roads and waterways as well as trains with limited passengers from May 31,” the state minister said on Wednesday. “Really we do not know how many more days we have to fight against the Covid-19 virus, and no medicine has yet been discovered. Therefore, we are going to open all types of government, semi-government and private offices,” he said.

On 28 May 2020, Civil Aviation Authority issued a circular regarding the suspension of scheduled international flights to/from Bangladesh: 1. With effect from 0001 BST on 31 May until 2359 BAT on 15 June 2020, all scheduled international commercial passenger flights to/from Bahrain, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and UK remain suspended; 2. Foreign nationals having valid visas will be required to produce a medical certificate (with English translation) to be obtained within 72 hours of travel, indicating that he/she is “COVID-19 Negative”. The individual needs to submit these certificates on arrival at the entry point (airport, sea port and land port) in Bangladesh; 3. If any Bangladesh-origin passengers possess an NVR and comes to Bangladesh without the required “COVID-19 Negative” certificate, he/she would be institutionally quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days; 4. If any Bangladesh origin passengers possess an NVR and come to Bangladesh with the “COVID-19 Negative” certificate, he/she would be home/self-quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days. However, if upon arrival he/she is diagnosed with any symptoms of corona virus upon on his/her arrival, the passenger would be institutionally quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days; and 5. The following types of international flights shall be conducted as usual: cargo; emergency landing; technical stop (without crew rest); Medical Evacuation; special flight operation; relief assistance; and citizen evacuation. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19 MONETARY AND MACRO-FINANCIAL The focus of Bangladesh Bank (BB) is to ensure that there is adequate liquidity in the financial system to support the operations of financial institutions, and it has announced that it will buy treasury bonds and bills from banks. The repo rate was lowered from 6 percent to 5.75 percent effective March 24th and was further reduced to 5.25 percent effective April 12. The CRR was initially reduced from 5 percent to 4.5 percent (daily-basis) and from 5.5 percent to 5 percent (bi-weekly basis), with a further reduction to 3.5 percent and 4 percent, respectively, from April 15. BB has also raised the advance-deposit ratio (ADR) and investment-deposit ratio (IDR) by 2 percent to facilitate credit to the private sector and improve liquidity in the banking system. The Export Development Fund was raised to $5 billion, with the interest rate now fixed at 2 percent and the refinancing limit increased. BB has created several refinancing schemes amounting to a total of Tk 380 billion and a 360-day tenor special repo facility to support exporters, farmers and to facilitate the implementation of the government stimulus packages. To further support farmers, BB also announced an agriculture subsidy program that will take effect for 15 months until mid-2021. In addition, BB has taken measures to delay non-performing loan classification, waive credit card fees and interests, suspend loan interest payments, impose restrictions on bank dividend payments, extend tenures of trade instruments, and ensure access to financial services. EXCHANGE RATE AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS Foreign exchange rules were eased by Bangladesh Bank to provide foreign currency to the Bangladeshi nationals who are visiting abroad and facing problem in returning home due to travel disruptions, and to allow foreign owned/controlled companies operating in Bangladesh to access short term working capital loans from their parent companies/shareholders abroad to meet actual needs for payments of 3-month wages and salary. It also resumed sales of the US dollar to offset extra pressure on the market caused by lower remittance inflows following the COVID-19 outbreak.

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

Ban on all scheduled international commercial passenger flights to/from Bahrain, Bhutan, Hongkong, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and UAE. Source: http://caab.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/caab.portal.gov.bd/notices/619e38b4_fe27_4c9b_acbc_848df90a6915/2020-06-12-20-06-bdd4997af1fb646c8955c64a06776abd.pdf

Country-wide closure of schools. Source: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

The Government issued a Governmental Order extending the period of conditional overall activities from 16 June 2020 to 30 June 2020. However, a Bangladesh Risk Zone-Based COVID-19 containment guide was issued by the government, whereby zones in Bangladesh are divided into Red, Yellow and Green; Zones declared as red will go into strict lockdown. Restrictions in the Red Zone include: - people working from home (excluding for agricultural work and workers in factories), - grocery shops and pharmacy shops under the red zone will be opened while restaurants and food shops can continue their services through home delivery. Source: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-covid-19-update-16-20200615.pdf?sfvrsn=dc18b4e3_4 https://bangla.dhakatribune.com/dynamics/mostlatestnews https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/covid-19-govt-issues-directives-for-red-zone/53146

Public gatherings prohibited in red zones. Source: https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/covid-19-govt-issues-directives-for-red-zone/53146 https://tbsnews.net/coronavirus-chronicle/covid-19-bangladesh/govt-finalises-red-zones-curb-covid-19-93121

Stay at home required for red zones. Outside the red zones, all the government, semi-government, autonomous and non-government offices would remain open in their respective arrangements on a limited scale while no one would be allowed to go out at night from 8:00pm to 6:00am without an emergency during the extended restriction period effective from today. Source: https://www.newagebd.net/article/108471/general-holiday-for-red-zones-announced

Restriction of movent in Red zones (Uttar Kattali) where lockdown was enforced. Movement remains free in the rest of the country. Source: http://archive.fo/WfkIM

Ban on all scheduled international commercial passenger flights to/from Bahrain, Bhutan, Hongkong, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey. Source: http://caab.portal.gov.bd/site/notices/4e2f0d10-6128-4457-b2d3-09d8f901454d/Operation-of-Schedule-International-Flights-To-From-bd-during-

Country-wide closure of schools. Source: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

The Government issued a Governmental Order extending the period of conditional overall activities from 16 June 2020 to 30 June 2020. However, a Bangladesh Risk Zone-Based COVID-19 containment guide was issued by the government, whereby zones in Bangladesh are divided into Red, Yellow and Green; Zones declared as red will go into strict lockdown. Restrictions in the Red Zone include: - people working from home (excluding for agricultural work and workers in factories), - grocery shops and pharmacy shops under the red zone will be opened while restaurants and food shops can continue their services through home delivery. Source: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-covid-19-update-16-20200615.pdf?sfvrsn=dc18b4e3_4 https://bangla.dhakatribune.com/dynamics/mostlatestnews https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/covid-19-govt-issues-directives-for-red-zone/53146

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-update-12-20200518.pdf?sfvrsn=bdf1a911_4

Public gatherings prohibited in red zones. Source: https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/covid-19-govt-issues-directives-for-red-zone/53146 https://tbsnews.net/coronavirus-chronicle/covid-19-bangladesh/govt-finalises-red-zones-curb-covid-19-93121

Vehicles can move all over the country with passengers maintaining proper health hygiene The government has decided to allow limited operation of public transport, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain has said. “The prime minister has directed to operate public transports on roads and waterways as well as trains with limited passengers from May 31,” the state minister said on Wednesday. “Really we do not know how many more days we have to fight against the Covid-19 virus, and no medicine has yet been discovered. Therefore, we are going to open all types of government, semi-government and private offices,” he said. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/05/27/state-minister-limited-public-transport-from-may-31 https://bangla.dhakatribune.com/dynamics/mostlatestnews

Stay at home required for red zones. Outside the red zones, all the government, semi-government, autonomous and non-government offices would remain open in their respective arrangements on a limited scale while no one would be allowed to go out at night from 8:00pm to 6:00am without an emergency during the extended restriction period effective from today. Source: https://www.newagebd.net/article/108471/general-holiday-for-red-zones-announced

Restriction of movent in Red zones (Uttar Kattali) where lockdown was enforced. Movement remains free in the rest of the country. Source: http://archive.fo/WfkIM

Ban on all scheduled international commercial passenger flights to/from Bahrain, Bhutan, Hongkong, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey. Source: http://caab.portal.gov.bd/site/notices/4e2f0d10-6128-4457-b2d3-09d8f901454d/Operation-of-Schedule-International-Flights-To-From-bd-during-

http://archive.fo/wip/ZAPI7 Key Policy Responses as of June 25, 2020 FISCAL The government has introduced a series of fiscal measures to contain and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. At end-March, the Ministry of Finance issued a revised budget for FY20 including additional resources to fund the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan and expanding existing transfer programs that benefit the poor. Increased allocation has been made to the Open Market Sale (OMS) program to facilitate the purchase of rice at one-third of the market price, and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is distributing food supplies at the district level. On March 31, the Ministry of Finance announced a Tk. 50 billion (about USD 588 million) stimulus package for exporting industries to be channeled through a refinance scheme operated by Bangladesh Bank. Loan proceeds will be used to pay worker salaries, primarily through mobile financial services, and the scheme is expected to benefit close to 4 million workers for a three-month period. Exporting firms that have laid off workers will not qualify for the loans. The Ministry of Finance will also subsidize interest payments on up to Tk. 500 billion in working capital loans by scheduled banks to businesses. On April 15th, the Prime Minister announced the allocation of Tk. 21.3 billion under a housing scheme for the homeless, Tk. 7.6 billion for poor people having lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, Tk. 7.5 billion to provide health insurance for government employees most at risk, and a Tk. 1 billion bonus payment for government doctors and health workers treating COVID-19 patients. Recently, the Prime Minister announced that the government would cover Tk. 20 billion in interest payments on behalf of 13.8 million loan recipients negatively impacted by the national shutdown. The National Board of Revenue has suspended duties and taxes on imports of medical supplies, including protective equipment and test kits. The FY21 Budget presented on 11 June includes higher allocations for health and social safety net programmes. The government has approached international financial institutions seeking budget support, and similar requests have been addressed to bilateral development partners. MONETARY AND MACRO-FINANCIAL The focus of Bangladesh Bank (BB) is to ensure that there is adequate liquidity in the financial system to support the operations of financial institutions, and it has announced that it will buy treasury bonds and bills from banks. The repo rate was lowered from 6 percent to 5.75 percent effective March 24th and was further reduced to 5.25 percent effective April 12. The CRR was initially reduced from 5 percent to 4.5 percent (daily-basis) and from 5.5 percent to 5 percent (bi-weekly basis), with a further reduction to 3.5 percent and 4 percent, respectively, from April 15. Recently, CRR was cut to 1.5% (daily basis) and 2.0% (bi-weekly basis) for offshore banking operation, effective July 1, and 1.0% (daily basis) and 1.5% (by-weekly basis) for NBFIs, effective June 1. BB has also raised the advance-deposit ratio (ADR) and investment-deposit ratio (IDR) by 2 percent to facilitate credit to the private sector and improve liquidity in the banking system. The Export Development Fund was raised to $5 billion, with the interest rate now fixed at 2 percent and the refinancing limit increased. BB has created several refinancing schemes amounting to a total of Tk 380 billion and a 360-day tenor special repo facility to support exporters, farmers and to facilitate the implementation of the government stimulus packages. To further support farmers, BB also announced an agriculture subsidy program that will take effect for 15 months until mid-2021. In addition, BB has taken measures to delay non-performing loan classification, waive credit card fees and interests, suspend loan interest payments, impose restrictions on bank dividend payments, extend tenures of trade instruments, and ensure access to financial services. EXCHANGE RATE AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS Foreign exchange rules were eased by Bangladesh Bank to provide foreign currency to the Bangladeshi nationals who are visiting abroad and facing problem in returning home due to travel disruptions, and to allow foreign owned/controlled companies operating in Bangladesh to access short term working capital loans from their parent companies/shareholders abroad to meet actual needs for payments of 3-month wages and salary. It also resumed sales of the US dollar to offset extra pressure on the market caused by lower remittance inflows following the COVID-19 outbreak.

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/searo/bangladesh/covid-19-who-bangladesh-situation-reports/who-ban-covid-19-sitrep-14-20200601.pdf?sfvrsn=657b0f1b_4

The Bangladesh government cut the number of testing despite the continuing rise in fatalities. Furthermore, the government has imposed charges for coronavirus sample testing. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-covid-19-sample-testing-falls-sharply/1906190

Bangladesh on Sunday (July 12th) barred congregational prayers on the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha on traditionally-designated open grounds to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to senior officials. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-restricts-public-eid-prayers-amid-pandemic/1908129

No change in policy. Source: http://archive.fo/R3pI3

In red zones under lockdown e.g. Wari: - The residents are not allowed to move around except for essential work - "Also due to this lockdown, I won't get paid this month for not being able to go to my workplace. But it's not just me, I personally know quite a few people who are facing this sort of economic hardship," Source: http://archive.fo/5fpjF#selection-773.0-773.214

In red zones restrictions on gatherings of fewer than 10 people. Source: http://archive.fo/5fpjF#selection-821.0-821.192

stay at home requirements for individuals living within red zones. In Wari, one of the regions in lockdown, despite the lockdown, healthcare professionals and emergency patients such as pregnant women, patients on dialysis or individuals with heart disease have been excluded from these restrictions. Source: http://archive.fo/5fpjF#selection-821.0-821.192

Restrictions on movements on red zones i.e. zones under lockdown. Source: http://archive.fo/5fpjF#selection-821.0-821.192

Commercial passenger flights from the UK, together with flights from Malaysia, Turkey, the UAE, Qatar and Sri Lanka are now permitted to land in Bangladesh. On arrival in Bangladesh, all foreign nationals are required to produce a medical certificate issued within 72 hours of travel indicating the passenger is COVID-19 negative. Passengers arriving from coronavirus affected countries, including the UK, are also required to self-quarantine for 14 days. The temporary suspension of international passenger flights from: Bahrain, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, the Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Thailand remains in force.

Bangladesh Central Band extends policy supports for RMG, textile sector until March 2021. Apart from the policy support, the government has launched a number of stimulus packages for revival of businesses in these sectors. Source: http://archive.fo/zJ8jN

Coordinated public campaign persists. Source: http://archive.fo/JulqA

The policy remains the same: "...Health Minister Zahid Maleque at a news conference in Dhaka on Friday, as he urged people with symptoms to inform authorities so that they could be tested." Source: http://archive.fo/8QIeG

"Bangladesh has rolled out a contact tracing app on a trial basis to warn users if they have been near someone who later tested COVID-19 positive. The Corona Tracer BD has been developed by local technology company in collaboration with the government." Source: http://archive.fo/vsLWu

No change in policy found.

On the 4th August 2020, the Bangladeshi government announced that it would be extending domestic restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. The provisional deadline for the extension is the 31st August. This included "banning... the opening of educational institutions". Link: https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bangladesh-extends-modified-domestic-restrictions-through-aug-31

On the 4th August 2020, the Bangladeshi government announced that it would be extending domestic restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. The provisional deadline for the extension is the 31st August. This included that "Businesses may function with social distancing measures through 2000 daily". This is in addition to the continuing colour-coded classification system, wherein stricter regulations were imposed on areas of high COVID-19 levels within Bangladesh. In some cases this includes the closing of all-but-essential businesses. Link: https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bangladesh-extends-modified-domestic-restrictions-through-aug-31

On the 4th August 2020, the Bangladeshi government announced that it would be extending domestic restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. The provisional deadline for the extension is the 31st August. This included the banning of large gatherings, which, in this case, includes public events. Link: https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bangladesh-extends-modified-domestic-restrictions-through-aug-31

On the 4th August 2020, the Bangladeshi government announced that it would be extending domestic restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. The provisional deadline for the extension is the 31st August. This included the banning of large gatherings. This is in addition to the continuing colour-coded classification system, wherein stricter regulations were imposed on areas of high COVID-19 levels within Bangladesh. In some cases this includes restrictions on private gatherings of fewer than 10 people. Link: https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bangladesh-extends-modified-domestic-restrictions-through-aug-31

On the 4th August 2020, the Bangladeshi government announced that it would be extending domestic restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. The provisional deadline for the extension is the 31st August. As of the 4th August, the restrictions permit for the partial resuming of public transport services, and "bus services for long-distance routes and Dhaka are operating at reduced capacity and are implementing social distancing measures. Rail services have also resumed at reduced capacity and with social distancing measures in place." Link: https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bangladesh-extends-modified-domestic-restrictions-through-aug-31

On the 4th August 2020, the Bangladeshi government announced that it would be extending domestic restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. The provisional deadline for the extension is the 31st August. This included the announcement that "residents must wear masks when in public and stay home to the extent possible." This is in addition to the continuing colour-coded classification system, wherein stricter regulations were imposed on areas of high COVID-19 levels within Bangladesh. In some cases this includes stricter regulations regarding staying at home, up to the level that staying home is required, but with exceptions. Link: https://www.worldaware.com/covid-19-alert-bangladesh-extends-modified-domestic-restrictions-through-aug-31

Bangladeshi government reiterated its decision to keep educational institutes closed till the COVID-19 situation improved. See article, archived: https://bdnews24.com/education/2020/08/23/bangladesh-not-ready-to-reopen-schools-in-september-as-pandemic-rages