Govt again stresses wearing masks outside home

The government has directed concerned authorities to ensure the use of masks for everyone stepping out of their homes amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

It has also instructed field administrations to take up more awareness measures to ensure everyone wears masks, and to enforce the directive through mobile courts if necessary.

The directives came after the weekly cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina via videoconference from Ganabhaban, in Dhaka, on Monday. 

After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, while briefing the media at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said: “Number of Covid-19 cases in Italy and some other country of Europe are recently on the rise. Thus, the prime minister has instructed us to ensure necessary health protocols in the country, emphasizing most on wearing masks.”

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“We do not know for certain what is coming next [in the upcoming winter] but if we wear masks, the possibility of getting infected with Covid-19 will become slim,” added the cabinet secretary.

He also said: “A dilly-dally attitude is being noticed among many people. But we have to ensure wearing masks in public places, especially in events such as the upcoming Durga Puja.”    

“We have already given directives to all divisional commissionaires, during a conference held on Sunday afternoon, to ensure that people are wearing masks across the country.”

“We have also directed the Islamic Foundation to make announcements for wearing masks after the Zuhr and Asr prayers from all the mosques of the country,” Cabinet Secretary Khandker added.