The deputy commissioners (DCs) of all 64 districts, with the help of the upazila administrations concerned, are making plans to tackle the incoming second wave of Covid-19 in winter.
As per the directives of the cabinet division, all 64 DCs must submit their plans to the office of the divisional commissioner concerned. The commissioners will then coordinate and send the plans to the cabinet division by tomorrow (October 20).
A meeting is scheduled to be held after assessing the situation.
The cabinet division sent letters to the district and upazila administrations of the country last month, seeking advice on possible steps needed to cope with the second wave of coronavirus based on experience with the first wave.
Authorities are expecting the second wave of the coronavirus to hit Bangladesh in the upcoming winter from next month, as it has already attacked some European countries for the second time.
With nine French cities preparing nightly curfews and Germany announcing tougher measures, citizens across Europe have been told the restrictions are "absolutely necessary" by the World Health Oraganization (WHO)s, reports DW.
Measures taken by Europe
Nine French cities, including Paris and Marseille, have begun nightly curfews since Saturday.
London and seven other areas were deemed level two on the UK's virus alert level, while Liverpool is level three, the most severe on the scale.
Germany has ramped up restrictions as daily cases hit record highs.
The Czech Republic, Italy, Bosnia, Austria, Croatia, and Poland have also reported high daily figures. The European Commission has described the situation as "worrisome" and called for tough action.
What is Bangladesh doing?
This correspondent spoke with several DCs to know the latest updates regarding their preparations.
Most of the DCs told Dhaka Tribune they have prepared their report for the cabinet division.
Nazrul Islam Sarker, Chuadanga DC, yesterday said: “Based on the instructions from the cabinet division, we have arranged a meeting with our coronavirus combating district committee.
“We have recommended two major directives. One is preventive and the other precautionary. In the line with these directives, police and magistrates will operate mobile courts to create awareness and encourage the people to wear masks and maintain health protocols,” said the Chuadanga DC.
He added: “We recommended to launch the campaign ‘No mask no shopping’ for shopping malls or market areas and the ‘No mask no service’ for all government and private offices.”
The DC also mentioned that they will file their report by tomorrow.
Cabinet division warns 64 districts
Fearing that the Covid-19 situation will worsen again in November, the prime minister instructed all concerned to make necessary preparations using the existing experience at a cabinet meeting on September 21.
After that cabinet meeting, another meeting was held on September 22 to determine necessary preparations and actions to be taken to deal with the second wave of Covid-19.
Necessary instructions were given to all concerned at the meeting.
The directives of the cabinet mentioned that the DCs should file plans from their experience of the first wave of Covid-19.
