Awareness campaign among the people against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been geared up in Rajshahi through continuous efforts of civil administration, armed forces and other law-enforcement agencies over the last couple of days.
Many of the city dwellers are seen keeping them confined at home willingly and maintaining social distancing in essential work places to stem the spread of virus.
“I have been doing my office work from my home for the past 15 days,” said Akramul Haque, Chief Executive Officer of DASCOH Foundation, adding many of his office colleagues are also doing the same.
He mentioned that all of us should follow the health related restrictions, particularly social distancing that can be the vital means of curbing the virus outbreak.
Haque said various governments, non-governments and voluntary organizations are providing the hand-to-mouth families with foodstuffs to discourage them from movement.
“We are witnessing the city streets and roads almost empty amidst hectic efforts of the armed forces and other law-enforcers for the last couple of days,” said Mahfuzur Rahman Rubel, a professional cameraperson of a private television channel.
He said the district and police administrations have also gone on a hard-line against spreading rumors related to the virus.
Over the past three days, mobile courts fined 241 people a total of more than Taka 4.53 lakh on charges of their involvement in violating laws and spreading rumors related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the district.
“Mobile courts led by the respective executive magistrates found the people guilty of various charges,” Abu Aslam, additional district magistrate, said on Wednesday.
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Humayun Kabir Khandaker said all-out measures have been adopted to ensure social distancing, restricting gatherings and distributing food among the needy families.
More than 3,707 tonnes of rice were distributed among 3,42,228 families so far while over Taka 1.25 crore cash among 1,56,308 families in the division, he said, adding that 2,568 more tonnes of rice and Taka 1.27 crore in cash are in stock for distribution.
A total of 706 doctors and 1,330 nurses are working in 169 public and private hospitals in the division, the government official said, adding around 1,753 beds among 4,119 were already prepared for treatment of the possible COVID-19 infected patients to face any emergency situation.
