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Busy Motijheel area in Dhaka remains empty during the general holidays. -- New Age photo

The government on Sunday declared April 12 and 13 as general holidays, aiming to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The public administration ministry issued a notification in this regard on Sunday.

Besides, April 14, the first day of Bengali New Year, will be added with the holidays, it said.

On March 23, the government declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4, aiming to prevent the transmission of deadly coronavirus and then extended the holidays until April 9.

But kitchen markets, food shops, pharmacies, hospitals and all emergency services will remain out of the purview of the general holidays.

Another person died from coronavirus and 18 more people tested positive for the virus during the last 24 hours.

Bangladesh has so far confirmed nine deaths from coronavirus and 88 infections.