DHAKA, Sept 22 (NNN-BSS) – Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, said, the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic may begin in late Oct or early Nov.
Thus, all concerned need to be prepared to tackle the outbreak, by using the experience gathered till now in the fight against the virus, added the premier, during yesterday’s cabinet meeting.
Cabinet Secretary, Khandker Anwarul Islam, disclosed the development to the media after the meeting.
The cabinet secretary said, “An inter-ministerial meeting will take place today regarding the preparations to combat the second wave of the virus.”
The meeting also focused on creating awareness regarding the importance of wearing masks.
He said, “Worshippers without masks are seen praying in mosques. Therefore, the prime minister has instructed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to raise awareness over the matter.
“It is essential to ensure that devotees wear masks during prayers. They will have to be encouraged in such a way so that later on, they create awareness about wearing masks to others.” He said, “Recently I went to a market and saw a lot of people not wearing masks.”
The cabinet secretary hinted that the government is planning on conducting drives in crowded places and public areas, such as shopping malls, to ensure that everyone wears a mask and punish those who do not.
Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, virtually presided over the meeting from her official residence, Ganabhaban, attended by several ministers and the cabinet secretary himself.
The prime minister’s directives came, a day after she said that the virus crisis may escalate during winter and urged officials to start making preparations immediately.
“Winter is coming. The situation may deteriorate to some extent. But we have to start taking preparations right now,” the PM said, at a Ganabhaban event to receive donations for the premier’s Relief and Welfare Fund.
Everyone in the country has been working with utmost sincerity to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Sheikh Hasina said, before adding, “That’s why we’ve been able to face it.”
Appreciating her call, experts said, Bangladesh should start taking preparations considering measures to tackle the crisis, fearing infections may rise in the upcoming winter season.– NNN-BSS
