The government has imposed a 21-day lockdown in Covid-19 red zone areas across the country instead of 14-day announced earlier.

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) disclosed the information in a press statement issued on Monday.

"The red zone status will be lifted when the situation improves," said the DGHS in the press release.  

Residents live in red zone areas have to do office work from home. Besides, all kinds of public gathering are restricted in these areas.

However, health care centres, hospitals and institutions with emergency services will remain open in the areas.

Adequate testing arrangements will be made for Covid-19 suspects in these areas. People who are tested positive will stay in home isolation or institutional isolation.

Only groceries and pharmacies of these zones will remain open. Restaurants and food shops will remain open only for home delivery services.

Residents are allowed to go markets when needed. Shopping malls, movie theaters, gyms/sports complexes and entertainment centers, however, will remain closed.

Financial activities like deposit and withdrawal can only be conducted at ATM booths maintaining social distancing. Besides, banking services can be kept open to a limited extant