Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has emphasized raising awareness among the people in Bangladesh’s battle against coronavirus.
Addressing a videoconference with public representatives and officials at districts in Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, she also unveiled plans to cushion the shock of the coronavirus outbreak to Bangladesh’s economy.
“Support from the people is imperative to stem the spread of the deadly virus,” she said.
Calling the nation not to panic and instead tackle the ongoing situation with courage as the country did during the 1971 war, Hasina said, “(It’s natural that) cyclones and disasters will come. But there is no reason for worry. These will have to be dealt with courageously.”
The virus situation in Bangladesh is comparatively better than that in the rest of the world as the government took adequate measures to contain the outbreak, she said.
During the videoconference, Sheikh Hasina announced several stimulus packages and steps to overcome the Covid-19 fallout, as well as gave directives to elected public representatives and officials on tackling the deadly disease.
RMG factories can operate on condition
The government plans to allow a reopening of some export-oriented industries on a limited scale if the guidelines on health and safety are properly maintained, said the premier.
“RMG owners may continue operations with a limited number of workers if they can provide protection, safe accommodation and transport for them,” she said.
At the video conference, Gazipur police chief Shamsunnahar blamed RMG factory owners for coronavirus cases in the district.
“It was they who asked thousands of workers to join work amid lockdown, after which Covid-19 cases were confirmed in Gazipur. There were no cases before April 4,” she said before adding that many of the workers were still in the district as their salaries were yet to be cleared.
In response to the remarks by Gazipur’s superintendent of police, Hasina said she would discuss the matter with garment owners.
Law enforcement agencies must help farmers harvest crops
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said members of the law enforcement agencies must help farmers harvest their crops.
“Due to the coronavirus outbreak, a global food crisis may take place, but if we can preserve more food we may overcome it,” she said.
The prime minister also added: “We have to make a combined effort toward paddy harvesting; the law enforcement agencies will have to help the farmers.
“Those who want to go for paddy harvesting will need transportation support, and the law enforcement agencies will help them,” the premier said.
Government will buy 2.1 million tons of foodgrains
The premier said the government would buy 2.1 million tons of foodgrains this year.
“We have already announced the target of rice procurement, but we will collect more grains this year,” she said.
According to the new plan, 800,000 tons of paddy, 1 million tons of rice, 220,000 tons of flour and 80,000 tons of wheat will be procured by the government.
Secretaries will oversee aid efforts in districts
Secretary-level officials will now be responsible for monitoring aid efforts across the country, said the prime minister.
“I have assigned a secretary for each of the 64 districts to monitor the aid efforts and report to me as now they have less work at the Secretariat amid the coronavirus outbreak,” said Hasina.
She said that her party, the Awami League, had been instructed to form aid committees up to the grassroots.
“These committees will help the local administration to list jobless people, who are in need of aid.”
Eid congregation on a limited scale amid pandemic
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hinted that congregations for Eid-ul-Fitr would be limited this time due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Her remarks came while she was speaking to an official of Sholakia Eidgah grounds in Kishoreganj.
"Sholakia hosts the country’s largest Eid congregation every year, but this year we may not be able to do it. Pray from home,” she said.
On April 16, the prime minister urged that people perform Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan at home.
"We will have to follow the instructions of the Islamic Foundation regarding Taraweeh prayers. You have to perform them at home instead of in the mosque since public gatherings raise the risk of contagion."
Earlier, the government suspended prayers for the public at all places of worship and religious institutions across the country in a bid to stop the further spread of the novel coronavirus.
The coronavirus death toll in Bangladesh has crossed the grim milestone of 100 with the country recording the biggest one-day spike in cases.
The number of confirmed cases surged by 492 in the 24 hours to Monday morning, taking the tally to 2,948.
