Bangladesh scrabbles ways for combatting second wave of Covid-19 through a slews of steps including checking entry into the country of the infected people particularly from India which apprehending near-top position in spread of the disease in near future.
They have also recommended to increase Covid-19 test in border areas as the neighbouring India is almost secured top position for people affected by Covid-19 infection and deaths.
Besides, Cabinet division in a recent meeting also directed that the service division of health and family welfare ministry will prepare a roadmap while the disaster management and relief ministry will chalk up a relief facility plan for people across the country.
Meanwhile, the cabinet division has provided the nine directives to the ministries and divisions to tackle a possible second wave of spread of deadly coronavirus infections even as Covid-19 deaths in the country crossed 5300 as on Tuesday.
The directives are revealed in the minutes of the meeting on September 22 at cabinet division with senior Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam in the chair.
Public security division under home ministry will conduct a mobile court to make sure that people are wearing mask and maintaining social distance.
Public Safety Division of the Home Ministry will monitor people coming from aboard are carrying negative coronavirus test certificate or staying in 15-day home or institutional quarantine, according to the meeting minutes.
On September 21, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the administration to make preparations in advance to face the field-level situation if the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic hits the country in winter alongside surge in cold diseases.
Expressing concern over the reluctance about facemask use, she also directed all concerned to take measures for ensuring the use of masks in a larger way to protect people from Covid-19 infections.
In the meeting, the Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora said necessary Covid-19 tests will be done vigorously to check entrance of possible patients from India which suffers the worst deterioration in coronavirus deaths and infections in last couple weeks.
On Monday, as per Indian media report, coronavirus infected stand 6,68,2073 cases while number of death was 1,03,600. Indian experts fear that it will secure top position in the world Covid infection and death in the second wave during winter season.
Senior of Finance Secretary Abdul Rouf Talukder said the government has enough financial resources to face the second wave of deadly coronavirus. But the authorities concerned will have to make that money is properly utilized, he said.
Finance secretary also echoed with other stakeholders that no Covid-19 positive people will be allowed to enter the country.
Inspector General Bangladesh Police Dr. Benazir Ahmed said the authorities concerned will take protective measures to face second wave of coronavirus pandemic. At first, movement of public transport will be suspended and time restrictions will be put in place again for the markets, he also said.
IGP also said the government will take special measures for elderly people age limit from 50 to 70 years.
Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Armed Forces Division Lt General Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman said a field hospital will be made within a few hours to combat second wave of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, after second wave of coronavirus meeting Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul said the Bangladesh government is unwilling to consider lockdown again because it wants to keep the country's economy afloat.
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