Govt bans all mass gatherings to stop spreading COVID-19

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: In a major move to contain deadly consequences of COVID-19, the government has banned all mass gatherings- social, political, cultural and religious- to stop spreading of novel coronavirus, BSS reports.

Mosques and others places of worships, including mandir and pagoda, will remain out of the purview of the ban.

But the people, who are suffering from fever, cold and flue, have been asked to offer their prayers at home following the directives of the Islamic Foundation.

Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus made the announcement while moderating a video conference from the Prime Minister Office along with senior officials to devise the best possible mechanism to face the COVID-19.

Local administrations have also been asked to maintain close monitoring of the overseas returnees who entered the country in the last one month or 15 days and also ensure their 14 days compulsory quarantine at home or healthcare facilities.

The government has already sent a district-wise list of the returnees of the last three months.

If necessary, the local administration will monitor the movement of those Bangladeshi expatriates, who returned home in the last three months.

The government also asked the authorities concerned to bring the people, who are violating the government instructions, under legal action.

It also asked them to closely monitor the first and other contacts of the returnees side by side with making a close surveillance on the markets so that none could hike the price of essentials capitalizing on the situation due to the coronavirus outbreak. There is enough storage of essential goods in the country, it said.

The meeting also stressed on intensifying the campaign involving union- level committees, all the field-level officials, public representatives and teachers to make people aware about the measures to be taken to protect themselves from the lethal virus.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam along with secretaries of different ministries was connected with the video conference from Bangladesh Secretariat.

Divisional commissioners, deputy inspector generals of police of various ranges and deputy commissioners, civil surgeons and police supers of all the districts were connected with the video conference from their respective districts.