DHAKA, Jan 16, 2022 (BSS) - The month-long Ekushey Book Fair, which usually begins on the first day of February here, has been postponed for two weeks due to the fresh surge of the Covid-19 in the country.

   "State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid confirmed about the decision of pushing back the fair for two weeks (15 days)," Public Relations Officer of the Cultural Affairs Ministry told BSS today.

   He, however, said decision over fixing the date for opening the fair would be taken later considering the Covid-19 situation. 

   Due to the pandemic situation, the book fair had started from March 18 in the last year and was scheduled to continue till April 14. But it was ended on April 12, just two days ahead of the last date due to the spike of Covid cases. 

   This year the Bangla Academy authority though has taken preparations to open the fair from the first day of February, the decision of postponing the fair for two weeks has been taken in line with an 11-point directive issued by the government from January 13 to stem the spread of Omicron, a new variant of the Covid-19.