Thousands fled Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka ahead of tightened lockdown that will curtail most economic activity and confine people to their homes as coronavirus infections soar.

Thousands flee from Dhaka ahead of nationwide strict lockdown

British health minister Matt Hancock has said that it is too early to say whether the government would stick to its plan to fully lift COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in England on June 21.

Britain’s health minister says too early to finalise lockdown easing

<p>The administrations of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have announced to enforce a complete lockdown in their respective regions from May 8 to 15 to contain the spread of coronavirus during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in Pakistan, a media report said on Thursday.</p>

<p>The announcements come as the country continues to witness a tremendous surge in the number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;cases despite the measures being taken by the government, the Express Tribune reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-tightens-borders-as-covid-19-cases-soar-382597">Pakistan tightens borders as Covid-19 cases soar</a></strong></p>

<p>"The public transport, tourist destinations, parks, business and shopping malls and markets will remain closed during the eight-day lockdown," Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid said.</p>

<p>She said to ensure complete lockdown police, Rangers, and Army personnel will be deployed in the province in line with the decision of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to restrict the movement of people during the Eid holidays.</p>

<p>Rashid said that pharmacies, medical stores, coronavirus vaccination centres, petrol pumps, food takeaways, small grocery stores, dairy, vegetable and fruit shops and meat shops will remain open during the lockdown.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hospitals-in-lahore-almost-out-of-oxygen-supply-amid-rising-covid-19-cases-377292">Hospitals in Lahore almost out of oxygen supply amid rising COVID-19 cases</a></strong></p>

<p>Notices regarding the lockdowns were also issued by the administration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and PoK.<br />
Planning Minister Asad Umar, who heads the NCOC, had said recently that stricter precautionary measures along with an expanded vaccination drive have had a positive impact.</p>

<p>The pandemic first emerged in the country in February last year. It started ebbing in July after seeing its peak in June, the report said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-pakistanis-forced-to-opt-for-expensive-jabs-from-private-markets-amid-slow-govt-vaccination-drive-377310">COVID-19: Pakistanis forced to opt for expensive jabs from private markets amid slow govt vaccination drive</a></strong></p>

<p>However, the cases spiked towards the end of the year, dubbed by the experts as the second wave.</p>

<p>The third wave of the disease started in March, the report added.</p>

<p>So far over 18,537 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan</a> since the beginning of the pandemic last year while the number of active Covid-19 cases is 845,833 as of May 5, media reports said.</p>


The administrations of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have announced to enforce a complete lockdown in their respective regions from May 8 to 15 to contain the spread of coronavirus during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in Pakistan, a media report said on Thursday.

The administrations of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have announced to enforce a complete lockdown in their respective regions from May 8 to 15 to contain the spread of coronavirus during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in Pakistan, a media report said on Thursday. The announcements come as the country continues to witness a tremendous surge in the number of coronavirus cases despite the measures being taken by the government, the Express Tribune reported. Also read | Pakistan tightens borders as Covid-19 cases soar "The public transport, tourist destinations, parks, business and shopping malls and markets will remain closed during the eight-day lockdown," Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid said. She said to ensure complete lockdown police, Rangers, and Army personnel will be deployed in the province in line with the decision of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to restrict the movement of people during the Eid holidays. Rashid said that pharmacies, medical stores, coronavirus vaccination centres, petrol pumps, food takeaways, small grocery stores, dairy, vegetable and fruit shops and meat shops will remain open during the lockdown. Also read | Hospitals in Lahore almost out of oxygen supply amid rising COVID-19 cases Notices regarding the lockdowns were also issued by the administration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and PoK. Planning Minister Asad Umar, who heads the NCOC, had said recently that stricter precautionary measures along with an expanded vaccination drive have had a positive impact. The pandemic first emerged in the country in February last year. It started ebbing in July after seeing its peak in June, the report said. Also read | COVID-19: Pakistanis forced to opt for expensive jabs from private markets amid slow govt vaccination drive However, the cases spiked towards the end of the year, dubbed by the experts as the second wave. The third wave of the disease started in March, the report added. So far over 18,537 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Pakistan since the beginning of the pandemic last year while the number of active Covid-19 cases is 845,833 as of May 5, media reports said.

COVID-19: Several regions in Pakistan announce complete lockdown during Eid holidays

<p>Karnataka government on Monday announced restrictions that will come into effect from the night of April 27. The state government has termed this lockdown a 'close down'. The tech-hub of Bengaluru, Karnataka's capital will be affected due to the lockdown.</p>

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa addressed reporters after a three-hour-long cabinet meeting</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka lockdown: What is allowed, what is not allowed</strong></h2>

<ol>
	<li>Shops selling essential commodities will be allowed to remain open from 6 am to 10 am</li>
	<li>Agricultural sector, manufacturing sector, construction sector, medical and essential sectors will continue to operate.</li>
	<li>No permission has been granted to garments under the manufacturing sector, the intention being that there should not be any problem as about seven to eight lakh people in very close proximity to each other in the factories.</li>
	<li>Night curfew, currently in place between 9 pm to 6 am would continue</li>
	<li>Transport services would not ply during the closedown period, but there would be no restrictions on movement of goods and essential services</li>
	<li>Banking services will continue to be functional</li>
	<li>Take-aways at hotels, restaurants and liquor shops would be allowed.</li>
	<li>If the pandemic situation does not come under control within two weeks. The strict measures will continue.</li>
</ol>

<p>Karnataka CM Yeddiyurappa said that cabinet consulted the expert committee and finalised the restrictions to be put to bring the Covid situation under control.</p>

<p><em>(With agency inputs)</em></p>


Karnataka government on Monday announced restrictions that will come into effect from the night of April 27. The state government has termed this lockdown a 'close down'.

Karnataka government on Monday announced restrictions that will come into effect from the night of April 27. The state government has termed this lockdown a 'close down'. The tech-hub of Bengaluru, Karnataka's capital will be affected due to the lockdown. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa addressed reporters after a three-hour-long cabinet meeting Karnataka lockdown: What is allowed, what is not allowed Shops selling essential commodities will be allowed to remain open from 6 am to 10 am Agricultural sector, manufacturing sector, construction sector, medical and essential sectors will continue to operate. No permission has been granted to garments under the manufacturing sector, the intention being that there should not be any problem as about seven to eight lakh people in very close proximity to each other in the factories. Night curfew, currently in place between 9 pm to 6 am would continue Transport services would not ply during the closedown period, but there would be no restrictions on movement of goods and essential services Banking services will continue to be functional Take-aways at hotels, restaurants and liquor shops would be allowed. If the pandemic situation does not come under control within two weeks. The strict measures will continue. Karnataka CM Yeddiyurappa said that cabinet consulted the expert committee and finalised the restrictions to be put to bring the Covid situation under control. (With agency inputs)

Bengaluru Lockdown: What will be open, what will be closed

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered France into its third national lockdown and said schools would close for three weeks as he sought to push back the third wave of COVID-19 infections that threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

Macron extends COVID-19 lockdown to all of France for 2 weeks

Millions of UK children and teenagers headed back to school on Monday for the first time after two months of home learning because of a strict national lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19.

After 2 months of home learning UK students back to school

According to new data released by UNICEF, schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost an entire year due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

UNICEF: 168 million students out of schools worldwide

<p>While celebrities around the world quarantine and find new ways of keeping themselves engaged, our desi girl Priyanka Chopra is here to make your day a little brighter.</p>

<p>Sharing a new sun-kissed selfie, Priyanka shared a sweet message for the world. She captioned the image:&nbsp;"There is always a light at the end of the tunnel... Hang in there, world."&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DWtxhjAw9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DWtxhjAw9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DWtxhjAw9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DWtxhjAw9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">There is always a light at the end of the tunnel... Hang in there world...😘</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/priyankachopra/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Priyanka Chopra Jonas</a> (@priyankachopra) on <time datetime="2020-04-16T18:50:17+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 16, 2020 at 11:50am PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Priyanka is seen sporting a grey-blue sleeveless top as she looks flawless with minimal makeup.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Priyanka along with Shah Rukh Khan and other A-listers from entertainment industries around the world will be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/shah-rukh-khan-priyanka-chopra-to-join-lady-gaga-elton-john-for-whos-one-world-live-event-for-covid-19-291023">coming together this weekend for 'One World' concert t</a>hat will see the likes of Elton John, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and many others sing and make merry for fans across the globe. It is an initiative by the WHO. The concert&nbsp;will help raise funds for WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In another news,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/priyanka-chopra-thanks-pm-modi-after-he-lauds-her-contribution-to-combat-covid-19-290714">&nbsp;Priyanka Chopra thanks PM Modi after he lauds her contribution to combat COVID-19</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood-news-priyanka-chopra-gives-away-100000-to-female-heroes-of-coronavirus-crisis-291493">Priyanka Chopra gives away $100,000 to female heroes of coronavirus crisis</a></p>


While celebrities around the world quarantine and find new ways of keeping themselves engaged, our desi girl Priyanka Chopra is here to make your day a little brighter.

While celebrities around the world quarantine and find new ways of keeping themselves engaged, our desi girl Priyanka Chopra is here to make your day a little brighter. Sharing a new sun-kissed selfie, Priyanka shared a sweet message for the world. She captioned the image: "There is always a light at the end of the tunnel... Hang in there, world." View this post on Instagram There is always a light at the end of the tunnel... Hang in there world...😘 A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) on Apr 16, 2020 at 11:50am PDT × Priyanka is seen sporting a grey-blue sleeveless top as she looks flawless with minimal makeup. Priyanka along with Shah Rukh Khan and other A-listers from entertainment industries around the world will be coming together this weekend for 'One World' concert that will see the likes of Elton John, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and many others sing and make merry for fans across the globe. It is an initiative by the WHO. The concert will help raise funds for WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. In another news, Priyanka Chopra thanks PM Modi after he lauds her contribution to combat COVID-19 Priyanka Chopra gives away $100,000 to female heroes of coronavirus crisis

Priyanka Chopra has a sweet message for the world amid COVID-19 lockdown

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has warned Indian singers and musicians against working with Pakistani artistes amid coronavirus lockdown.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has warned Indian singers and musicians against working with Pakistani artistes amid coronavirus lockdown. The Federation issued a strict warning recently and stated that failure to comply with the directive would lead to "strict disciplinary action”. Amid lockdown, several musicians from the two countries have been collaborating on social media. Pakistan's Ali Sethi has been regularly hosting live sessions and has so far interacted and jammed with Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj, Varun Grover and Shilpa Rao. In the session with Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj, Sethi had even brought in legendary singer Farida Khanum to sing a few lines. View this post on Instagram Here is a full video from our historic session yesterday. If there’s anything we can learn in this difficult time, let it be the value of cooperation across borders. LOVE CONQUERS ALL ♥️♥️♥️ A very special thanks to Faridaji’s genius granddaughter @mehrunnisaiamin for setting this up, and to @anthonysoshil and @bhangusayeen for making the video #alisethi #rekhabhardwaj #vishalbhardwaj #faridakhanum #india #pakistan #lockdown #coronavirus #music #collaboration A post shared by Ali Sethi (@alisethiofficial) on Mar 25, 2020 at 7:53am PDT × View this post on Instagram Such a joy to go live with @shilparao two days ago 💓✌🏾 I so admire her versatility — the way she glides from ghazal to disco — and was thrilled to sing a bit ‘Umraan Langiyaan’ for her dad 😇🙏🏾 Enjoy this montage of our first mulaqaat, which culminates with her iconic #ghungrootootgaye — disco tay khhisko! 👑🌟🎶 #alisethi #shilparao #instalive #paarchanaade #ghungroo A post shared by Ali Sethi (@alisethiofficial) on Mar 30, 2020 at 1:35pm PDT × View this post on Instagram I feel like @vidushak is a pied-piper of our times — someone who leads us, with his songs and screenplays and subversive standup acts, into a happier and always more inclusive place. In our live session the other day I bored him with my rendition of his mashhoor-tareen gaana ‘Moh Moh Ke Dhaage’ (on popular demand!), but I am so-so-so excited to make the tune for ‘Jis Lahore Na Vekhya’ — check tay karo! #instalive #quarantine #lockdown #music #banter #alisethi #varungrover #stayathome #washyourhands A post shared by Ali Sethi (@alisethiofficial) on Apr 8, 2020 at 11:24am PDT × FWICE issued the directive only when a session with Harshdeep Kaur and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was brought to its notice. “We are pained to inform all members that despite being fully aware that FWICE has issued a total non-cooperation circular advising all members not to work in any manner whatsoever with all Pakistani artistes, singers and technicians, some members are blatantly violating the non-cooperation circular,” a letter from FWICE read. The letter stated that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's concert was not the only instance. "We have been informed that more such Entertainment products and songs are being planned and made. We have to strictly inform all the members of our affiliates to kindly note that the non-cooperation circular is valid and subsisting and anyone found cooperating or working in any manner with any Pakistani artistes, singers and technicians, in any mode or media of entertainment will be subject to strict disciplinary action,” the letter read. View this post on Instagram No working with #Pakistani artists, singers, technicians, no working on digital platforms too... #FWICE issues stern warning... OFFICIAL STATEMENT... A post shared by Taran Adarsh (@taranadarsh) on Apr 12, 2020 at 6:54am PDT × “One should also realise that while the entire world is fighting against the coronavirus, Pakistan is still busy killing our soldiers on the borders. Kindly note no violation of this circular will be allowed and we are sure all members will follow our advice in their own interest,” it added. Pakistani artistes were banned from working in India after 2016 Uri attacks in which 18 soldiers were killed and several others were injured.

FWICE warns Indian singers against online collaborations with Pakistani artistes amid lockdown