Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Wednesday said the government has no plan to go into lockdown to stem the second wave of coronavirus which is ravaging many countries across the world.
He made the remarks while addressing a programme at the Hajj Camp in Ashkona marking the inauguration of ‘Gene Expert Machine and Mobile Laboratory’.
The minister said talks are going on whether to suspend air communications with the UK following the emergence of a new variant of coronavirus which is more infectious. “Flights will be suspended if necessary,” he added.
Travellers from the United Kingdom without ‘negative test certificates’ for the coronavirus will have to undergo a seven-day quarantine, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque.
The government has taken the measure in a bid to prevent the spread of the new strain of the coronavirus identified in the UK, the minister said at an event in Ashkona on Wednesday.
“We got to know about the new strain of the coronavirus. Those coming from the UK [without COVID negative certificates] must undergo a seven-day quarantine.”
The passengers will be released after the weeklong quarantine and necessary tests are done. Then they will have to complete home quarantine.
The authorities have issued an order to create a separate immigration queue for the passengers coming from the UK.
“They must stand in the separate queue and complete their immigration formalities. We don’t want a new strain of the pathogen to spread across Bangladesh.”
The minister also said there are enough beds in the country and those will be increased if necessary.
Zahid Maleque said the coronavirus situation remained under control as of now. “The country’s economy is now also in a good shape.”
Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr ABM Kurshid Alam also spoke at the function conducted by DGHS Additional DG Prof Dr Nasima Sultana.
