Authorities at Dhaka University (DU) have extended the tenure of suspension of classes and exams till Mar 31 over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The decision came from an emergency meeting of the university’s syndicate held at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building on the campus on Thursday (Mar 19). The meeting was chaired by DU Vice-Chancellor Prof M Akhtaruzzman.

The authorities also ordered residential students to vacate the halls by 6pm on Friday (Mar 20).

Meanwhile, a five-member Corona Response Committee, led by DU Medicine faculty Dean Dr Shahriar Nabi, has been formed.

The committee will coordinate the information inside the campus if the outbreak reaches the university.

The syndicate also asked DU officials to limit activities and approved working from home.

Several syndicate members, including Associate Professor of Islamic History and Culture department Mohammad Humayun Kabir, confirmed the matter.

Earlier on Monday, DU authorities announced suspension of all classes and exams for 11 days, till March 28, and said it would be adjusted with the upcoming summer vacation period.

The DU dormitories were last vacated after the clash between students and Army during army-backed caretaker government. The clash was held on Aug 21, 2007.

As of now, Bangladesh has 17 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Of the total 17 patients, three were earlier released upon recovery while one died on Wednesday.

The virus, which has spread to at least 160 countries of the world, has killed over 8,900 people across the world since it was first reported in China's Wuhan last December.

Around 219,351 have been infected by Covid-19, a new strain of coronavirus, while 85,749 people have recovered from it.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) decided to shut down its dormitories to curtail the Covid-19 spread. The previous day, Chattogram University issued a notice closing down its halls effective immediately.

Earlier on Sunday, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) recommended the university authorities to "shutdown the university temporarily or announce summer vacation early after rescheduling," and placed a memorandum to that effect with the VC.

Echoing the student body representatives, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association and the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association issued statements concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the students who went on indefinite hunger-strike on Saturday night – demanding shut down of all academic activities and residential halls – have withdrawn their fast unto death after being reassured by DU proctor and DUCSU leaders.

Meanwhile, educational institutions in the country decided to halt classes till Mar 31 in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.