320 factories restarts amid lockdown

More than 320 factories, which are out of lockdown purview, were reopened on Monday. The factories include those engaged in manufacturing medicines, food, oxygen, electricity, processed leather and medical equipment.

Sources in the Industrial Police said fines were being imposed if there was any attempt to open factories beyond the government-permitted criteria.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain has said that legal action will be taken if any industrial factory is found open amid the strict lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. He was speaking to journalists after the cabinet meeting on Monday.

The state minister said all government-private offices should be closed except for the factories involved in the production and processing of food products, the preservation of rawhide and the pharmaceutical industry. He said, “I am monitoring the industrial mills whether they are open or not. And if we find any evidence, legal action will be taken against those who are running factories.” Moreover, Farhad said the government has so far no plan to open garment factories. The state minister further said, “When people are roaming on the streets for the sake of work, we are actually trying to check the veracity of what they are saying.”

At the meantime, a senior police official told to a media that 320 to 330 factories were operating under the purview of the Industrial Area Police on Monday. He also said that the owners of two garment factories on Sunday and one sporting goods factory this morning were fined for reopening their factories illegally. The government decided to keep the factories dealing in food, medicine, and leather open during the 14-day strict lockdown from 23 July - 5 August. All other factories will remain closed during the time.

Meanwhile, when asked about the implementation of strict lockdown, he said, “Since we have shut down the garment and export-oriented industries, the movement of workers has decreased. There are many other reasons why people are coming out unnecessarily and they have to face the law enforcers.” In addition, people are able to move freely for emergency services such as hospital services.

Asked if the prime minister had given any instructions in the cabinet meeting, the state minister said issues on the worsened Covid situation have been discussed. “We have issued the notification strictly,” he said.

The current restrictions came into force on July 23 and will continue till August 5 midnight, unless extended again.

Minister warns of legal action