The government has extended the nationwide lockdown to Apr 25 amid a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths from the disease across the country.

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain confirmed the development to bdnews24.com on Thursday.

The government will issue a notice later.

It comes after sources in the ministry said a plan was in the works to extend the shutdown, which the government has termed a general holiday, by at least one week from Apr 14.

"We have received the prime minister's decision. The holiday is being extended to Apr 25. But this won't be a general holiday," said Farhad.

"There's the matter of providing relief and other emergency services across the country which is why government officials must be at their offices. Therefore, we are working on the finer details of the holiday from Apr 15 to 25. Further details will be outlined in the order itself," he added.

Bangladesh announced a shutdown of offices and public transport from Mar 26 to Apr 4, before extending it to Apr 14 as the number of infections and deaths from the coronavirus continued to rise.

However, the order does not apply to utility and emergency services, including the fire service, power, gas, water and telecoms.