Educational institutions to remain shut till Sept if corona situation continues: PM

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the educational institutions will remain closed till September next if the present coronavirus pandemic continues, BSS reports.

“We’ll not open educational institutions now. Those will remain shut till at least September next if the present coronavirus (pandemic) continues … we’ll open the educational institutions when the pandemic will stop,” she said.

The prime minister said this while interacting with the public representatives and officials of eight districts of Rajshahi division on the present coronavirus situation of the country through a videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning.

The districts are Bogura, Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna, Rajshahi and Sirajgonj.

The premier urged the businesspeople not to worry about the interest of the bank loan, saying that the government will consider so that the payment of the interest remains suspended and how much of the interest (of the credit) could be waived.
She said many businesspeople started business by taking loans from the banks, but the amount of interest has increased due to present situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak.

“So don’t worry about it. The interest is not supposed to be taken now, and after this meeting, I’ll sit with the finance minister (in this regard),” she said.

She went on saying: “We’ll consider so that the payment of interest remains suspended in this situation and how much amount of the interest could be waived and how much you (businesspeople) can pay regularly.”

The prime minister said the government is lifting the shutdown gradually from that places which are less affected by the pandemic.

“Our biggest tasks are now to save the people and keep up their living and livelihood … we’re giving attention so that the people can lead a normal life and do trade and commerce,” she said.