Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- All shops and shopping malls across the country, including those in the capital, will remain open on Thursday as usual, despite the Awami League's announced 'lockdown' programme on the day (November 13).

However, shops in areas that observe a weekly holiday on Thursdays will remain closed as per the usual schedule, business associations have confirmed.

The decision came from a joint meeting of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association's standing committee.

A joint statement signed by Md Nazmul Hasan Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, and Md Arifur Rahman Tipu, President of the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association, said that all shops and s...