<p>Bangladesh authorities on Monday ordered an eight-day closure of all offices and international and domestic transport, as coronavirus cases hit a new high.</p>.<p>The drastic measures, which will virtually seal off the country, will start Wednesday, said a government statement.</p>.<p>The South Asian nation of 160 million people has recorded 684,756 cases and 9,739 deaths, but the number of daily cases has increased sevenfold in a month.</p>.<p>Hospitals in cities across the country say they are being overwhelmed by the new cases, and daily deaths have more than doubled.</p>.<p>"All government, semi-government, autonomous and private office and financial institutions will be closed," said a cabinet statement.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/bangladesh-plans-nationwide-holiday-amid-soaring-covid-19-cases-973314.html" target="_blank">Bangladesh plans nationwide holiday amid soaring Covid-19 cases</a></strong></p>.<p>International and domestic flights will be halted along with maritime, rail and bus services, the order added.</p>.<p>All stores -- except those supplying food -- will be shut, but authorities will allow factories to remain open if companies can organise their own transport.</p>.<p>The cabinet said the closure would end at midnight on April 21.</p>.<p>"There is no alternative now to this in order to curb the Covid-19 surge," Farhad Hossain, junior minister for public administration, said ahead of the clampdown announcement.</p>.<p>Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia, 74, tested positive for the coronavirus Sunday despite being under house detention.</p>.<p>The two-time former prime minister has been serving a 10-year jail term for corruption but has been allowed to stay under surveillance at her Dhaka home since last year.</p>
<p>Bangladesh authorities on Monday ordered an eight-day closure of all offices and international and domestic transport, as coronavirus cases hit a new high.</p>.<p>The drastic measures, which will virtually seal off the country, will start Wednesday, said a government statement.</p>.<p>The South Asian nation of 160 million people has recorded 684,756 cases and 9,739 deaths, but the number of daily cases has increased sevenfold in a month.</p>.<p>Hospitals in cities across the country say they are being overwhelmed by the new cases, and daily deaths have more than doubled.</p>.<p>"All government, semi-government, autonomous and private office and financial institutions will be closed," said a cabinet statement.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/bangladesh-plans-nationwide-holiday-amid-soaring-covid-19-cases-973314.html" target="_blank">Bangladesh plans nationwide holiday amid soaring Covid-19 cases</a></strong></p>.<p>International and domestic flights will be halted along with maritime, rail and bus services, the order added.</p>.<p>All stores -- except those supplying food -- will be shut, but authorities will allow factories to remain open if companies can organise their own transport.</p>.<p>The cabinet said the closure would end at midnight on April 21.</p>.<p>"There is no alternative now to this in order to curb the Covid-19 surge," Farhad Hossain, junior minister for public administration, said ahead of the clampdown announcement.</p>.<p>Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia, 74, tested positive for the coronavirus Sunday despite being under house detention.</p>.<p>The two-time former prime minister has been serving a 10-year jail term for corruption but has been allowed to stay under surveillance at her Dhaka home since last year.</p>