Dhaka Faces Migrant Exodus As Bangladesh Tightens Covid Lockdown

Resurgence in COVID-19 cases has prompted Bangladesh to toughen restrictions in stages from Monday, with markets and transportation to shut down by Thursday.

Tens of thousands of migrant workers fled Bangladesh's capital Sunday on the eve of a tightened lockdown that will curtail most economic activity and confine people to their homes as coronavirus infections soar. Restrictions on activities and movement have been in place since mid-April as cases and deaths jumped. Infections declined in May but started to rise again this month, with over 5,000 new cases and a pandemic-high of 119 deaths on Sunday, according to the health ministry. The resurgence has prompted the government to toughen restrictions in stages from Monday, with economic activity -- including shops, markets, transportation and offices -- to shut down by Thursday.