Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government has decided to extend the ongoing nationwide holidays for five more days till April 9 to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus.
“We had earlier announced a 10-day general holiday from March 26 [to April 4] and it will be extended for five more days till April 9,” she said.
Two weekly holidays – Friday and Saturday – fall on April 10 and 11.
The premier made the announcement while exchanging views on the country’s coronavirus situation with the public representatives and field level government officials of 64 districts via videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka, reports BSS.
When the cabinet secretary drew the prime minister’s attention about the extension of holidays till April 9, Sheikh Hasina said it can be extended till April 9, but won’t be a complete shutdown.
“It can be done on a limited scale, and a scope will have to be created for the movement of some people,” she said.
She added: “Everything can’t be stopped. The essential things will remain in operation. But all the educational institutions such as schools and colleges will remain closed till April 9.”
The premier, however, opined for keeping the industries open by taking all precautionary measures.
Sheikh Hasina said the holidays will have to be extended to stem the outbreak of Covid-19 in the villages as many people have already gone to their village homes soon after the announcement of the 10-day general holiday.
In this context, she said: “We will have to take quarantine period into consideration so that this lethal virus can’t spread.”
Limited public transport
Sheikh Hasina has said public transport may be allowed in a limited number after April 9.
The movement of transport could be limited, she said, adding that the government will review the situation after completion of the 14-day quarantine period.
The government earlier on March 23 declared a nationwide 10-day holiday from March 26 to April 4 shutting down the public and private offices except essential and healthcare facilities over the Covid-19 situation.
‘No corruption in food distribution’
The premier sounded a note of warning against any kind of corruption and irregularity in distributing food among the destitute, particularly the day-labourers.
Few people wait in line in front of TCB truck sale on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 | Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
“No corruption and irregularity in this regard will be tolerated anymore. We will not spare anyone, whoever he or she might be, involved in doing so to get rich or wealthy capitalizing on the bad times of the people,” she added.
She has asked all to be alert to this end.
The prime minister also ordered to prepare a separate list of the people who are out of the social safety network program such day labourers, rickshaw pullers, transport workers, tea-stall vendors to reach essentials to them.
“I am requesting all, including the deputy commissioners (DCs), to work accordingly regarding the social safety net program ... It must be ensured that no one remains hungry,” she continued.
She also asked the authorities concerned to ensure additional allocation of food to meet the growing demand. She said that currently there is no scarcity of food in the country as there is enough stock.
Sheikh Hasina urged all, particularly the affluent people, to join hands with the government to this end.
Outsiders not allowed at Rohingya camps
Sheikh Hasina ordered the authorities concerned to restrict entry of outsiders in the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.
She said: "If coronavirus spreads out at the Rohingya camps, it will be dangerous and turn it into a big loss as the Rohingya are our major concern. So only the government officials and authorized people now will have the entry there.
PPE not necessary for all
She said there is no need to use the personnel protection equipment (PPE) by all except the health activists, nurses and physicians who are entrusted with the responsibility of giving treatment to the people infected by the coronavirus.
She asked the authorities concerned to create awareness about the use of PPE.
She once again called upon the countrymen not to panic over the coronavirus issue as her government has successfully tackled several disasters many times in the past.
The premier requested all to go to hospitals in case of having any symptom of the Covid-19 without making any delay for the good of the patient, family and neighbours.
“Don’t hide the disease as it will bring disaster for you, your family and neighbours,” she said.
Bangladesh may face impact of recession
The premier said the world is going to witness an economic recession due to the coronavirus pandemic, and its impact may fall on Bangladesh too.
Four women riding a rickshaw during dhaka lockdown | Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune“Hence, from now on we will have to take measures to face this impact,” she said.
‘May have to supply food to other countries’
Sheikh Hasina instructed the agriculture minister to take necessary measures from now to boost agriculture production.
“Many countries of the world are likely to face shortage of foods due to the coronavirus pandemic, and at that time we may have to supply food. So, we have to give attention to this end from now on,” she said.
The prime minister asked all to make sure that no arable land across the country is left out of the cultivation.
‘Inhuman to hike prices’
The prime minister asked all concerned to ensure the supply of essentials to keep the prices under control.
“We have to ensure plenty of supply so that the prices of essentials can be brought under control and within the capacity of the people. It will be inhuman to get more benefit by hiking the prices of essentials cashing on the sufferings of the people,” she said.
A youth, who returned home from Germany with coronavirus infection shared his experience, via videoconference, about how he recovered from the diseases in Bangladesh.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Home Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Local Government and Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman were connected to the video conference from Bangladesh Secretariat.