Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought everyone's cooperation to combat the ongoing second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
“I just signed the file to impose the weeklong lockdown so that we can protect the people. I know everyone will face a little trouble for this, but even then I will say that life is big, life comes before everything,” said the leader of the House while delivering the valedictory speech in the 12th session of the 11th parliament that was prorogued on Sunday after three working days amid a massive surge in the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the new strain of coronavirus in the country, the premier said: “The damage done by the new virus variant is hard to detect right away. One's condition worsens suddenly. For this, we have to be careful.
“I request all to follow the health safety guidelines. Wear masks and maintain social distancing. All events, including weddings, have to be suspended. We have decided to suspend the tourism sector as well.
“Those who come from abroad have to stay in quarantine,” the prime minister added.
Sheikh Hasina further said: “Shopping malls will remain closed, however, they will be able to sell their products online and make deliveries. The elections on April 11 have also been postponed due to coronavirus.
"People seem to have become desperate as soon as we started our vaccination efforts. They [people] think that nothing will happen. Everyone started moving freely. This has to be stopped,” she added.
The premier also said: “We saw old people getting Covid-19 before, but youngsters, even children, are getting infected this time . We have to keep them protected as well.”
Advising everyone to be careful, the prime minister said: "We are taking appropriate measures for everything, including Covid-19 treatment and vaccines. We have administered the first vaccine dose to the people. Soon, we will start giving the second dose as well. Arrangements will be made to bring more vaccine jabs.”
The premier also advised everyone to inhale steam after returning home from outside.
She said: “Gurgling is very beneficial. So one should gurgle as well. The coronavirus settles inside the sinuses of the nose. The virus becomes weak when you inhale steam and gargle.”