Curbs extended but relaxed

Inter-district bus, train and launch services will resume across the country on the condition that they operate at half their capacity for a week.

The cabinet division in a circular yesterday lifted the coronavirus restrictions on almost everything, except the educational institutions.

Restaurants can also serve food, keeping half the seats empty, it added.

A recent study of the Power and Participation Research Centre and Brac Institute of Governance and Development revealed that about 5.92 million primary and secondary school students were at risk of learning losses as in-person classes have not been taking place since March last year.

The term learning loss refers to any specific or general loss of knowledge and skills or to reversals in academic progress, most commonly due to extended gaps or discontinuities in a student's education, according to education and development forum UKFIET.

The government closed educational institutions on March 17 last to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Another report of the World Bank says the prolonged closure of schools is causing an education crisis that may cost Bangladesh and other South Asian countries over $1 trillion in lost earnings in the long run.

The report titled South Asia Economic Focus, Spring 2021: South Asia Vaccinates also said that many of these students will find it harder to return the longer they are away from school.

YESTERDAY'S ORDER

All public transports will resume operation from today maintaining the health guidelines.

Nur Mohammad Mazumder, chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), confirmed to The Daily Star that movement of long-haul buses will be on the roads today.

Also, 56 intercity trains and 18 local ones will resume operation from today, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said during a deal signing ceremony yesterday at the Rail Bhaban.

Launch services will also resume today, said Commodore Golam Sadeq, chairman of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority.

"Wearing a mask is a must for all. Violation of the directives will result in cancellation of route permit of the launch," he added.

The government first imposed a weeklong restriction on transport services on April 5 to contain the second wave of the pandemic.

The authorities later extended the restrictions in phases to May 23.