Staff Reporter :
Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Saturday said that the government is going to enforce restrictions soon to curb the covid surge across the country.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dipu Moni has said that schools and the other educational institutes will not be closed right now. She said that no closures of educational institutes unless necessary.
To contain Coronavirus spreading, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said that strict restriction would be imposed soon including halving passengers in bus, train and launch.
“Decision has been taken to halving passengers in all public transports, closing shops, shopping plazas and restaurants by 8:00pm and maintaining health rules including wearing facemasks outside will be mandatory,” the health minister said while distributing warm cloths among the poor people in Manikganj district.
He said that people would not be allowed to go outside without wearing masks. If anyone violates it, he will face penalty by mobile court, he warned.
The customers have to show vaccination card during entering restaurants, he added.
“Mobile courts will enforce health guidelines, if necessary,” he said.
He said, the directives would be issued soon in order to curb the covid contamination which is on surge in recent days.
Zahid Maleque said, health safety rules are being openly ignored at polling stations all over the country and such disregard may put the country in grave risks.
“The number of daily Coronavirus cases has increased alarmingly in recent days. The government will decide on closure of schools if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates further,” the health minister said.
Meanwhile, the minister said, “Bangladesh is in a better position than the rest of the world in terms of the spread of the Omicron variant.”
On the other hand, Education Minister Dipu Moni has said that the government does not want to close down education institutions right now.
She said, “The educational institutes were closed down for one-and-half years. We don’t want to impose fresh shutdowns further.”
“We want all the students to come back to schools vaccinated, which is why we are prioritising their inoculation,” Dipu Moni said while talking with journalists on Saturday.
The education minister has expressed concern about the rapid surge in Covid-19 infections and urged all to be more aware and to follow health guidelines for the sake of the students. Dipu Moni added that it is possible to bring students 12 years or older under vaccine protection.
She said that there is growing concern regarding primary school students who are yet to become eligible. The education minister said, the education sector will be hit the hardest if the situation deteriorates.
“It will be difficult to say whether another shutdown may take place,” she said.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 21 Omicron cases and on Friday logged 1,146 new cases with the daily test positivity rising to 5.67pc.
A test positivity of over 5pc is a key concern for any country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
