Maleque: Health rules largely flouted at polling centres, curbs coming soon
Government will soon issue directive ordering public transports to carry passengers at half capacity, says the health minister
File photo: People stand and wait to exercise their franchise at a polling centre in Tangail during the fifth phase of union parishad elections, Wednesday, January 5, 2022 | Bangla Tribune
Motiur Rahman, Manikganj
Publish : 08 Jan 2022, 03:03 PMUpdate : 08 Jan 2022, 04:23 PM
Hygiene rules are being openly ignored at polling stations throughout the country and such disregard may put the country in grave danger, Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said.
“Mobile courts will be operated to enforce health guidelines, if need be,” the minister said during an event at Shubhro Centre in Manikganj on Saturday.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque speaks at an event in Manikganj on Saturday, January 8, 2022 | Dhaka Tribune
He also gave a heads up about some future restrictions in light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.
The authorities will soon issue a directive ordering buses, trains and launches to carry passengers at half capacity, said Maleque.
“The number of daily coronavirus cases has increased by 400%. The government is considering directing shops to close by 8pm every day, and will decide on school closure if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates further,” he added.
However, the minister said the pandemic situation in Bangladesh is much better than most countries. “Bangladesh is in a better position than the rest of the world in terms of the spread of the Omicron variant.”
And to keep the situation from getting out of control, Maleque said, there is no alternative to complying with health rules.
“Mobile courts will fine people who go outside without wearing a mask,” the health minister warned.
Bangladesh on Friday recorded an infection rate of over 5% for the first time since September 21 last year.
The health authorities logged 1,146 new Covid-19 cases with a test positivity rate of 5.67%. A test positivity of over 5% is a key concern for any country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Maleque: Health rules largely flouted at polling centres, curbs coming soon
Government will soon issue directive ordering public transports to carry passengers at half capacity, says the health minister
Hygiene rules are being openly ignored at polling stations throughout the country and such disregard may put the country in grave danger, Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said.
“Mobile courts will be operated to enforce health guidelines, if need be,” the minister said during an event at Shubhro Centre in Manikganj on Saturday.
He also gave a heads up about some future restrictions in light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.
The authorities will soon issue a directive ordering buses, trains and launches to carry passengers at half capacity, said Maleque.
Also read - Covid Surge: NTAC recommends tougher restrictions
“The number of daily coronavirus cases has increased by 400%. The government is considering directing shops to close by 8pm every day, and will decide on school closure if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates further,” he added.
However, the minister said the pandemic situation in Bangladesh is much better than most countries. “Bangladesh is in a better position than the rest of the world in terms of the spread of the Omicron variant.”
And to keep the situation from getting out of control, Maleque said, there is no alternative to complying with health rules.
“Mobile courts will fine people who go outside without wearing a mask,” the health minister warned.
Bangladesh on Friday recorded an infection rate of over 5% for the first time since September 21 last year.
The health authorities logged 1,146 new Covid-19 cases with a test positivity rate of 5.67%. A test positivity of over 5% is a key concern for any country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Topics: