Many city dwellers have started leaving for their home districts as coronavirus scare gripped the city. The photo shows a woman with her three children going to Sadarghat Launch Terminal on Monday — FE photo by Shafiqul Alam

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the government announced on Monday a 10-point instruction, including general holiday for both public and private offices from March 26 to April 04.

However, the holidays will not be applicable for the government offices which deal with emergency services like fire-fighting, healthcare and law enforcement, cabinet secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told a joint press briefing held at the secretariat in the city.

Kitchen markets and medicine shops will remain open during this period, according to the instructions.

The cabinet secretary said March 26 is a public holiday, followed by two weekly holidays (March 27 and 28). From March 29, the government declared general holiday for five days till April 02, followed by two more weekly holidays (April 03 and April 04).

“The government has taken the decision to prevent the spread of the virus. And the people have been asked to stay home during the holidays except for emergency needs,” he added.

He said public transport will be limited, requesting the people to avoid such transports as far possible as they can.

In case of using public transport, he said, people must take all precautionary measures to avoid virus infection while drivers and their assistants were instructed to use masks, gloves and other protective gear.

“We requested the citizens to practise social distancing and stay at their home as much as possible. It’s a kind of self-isolation. Protect yourself and others,” he said.

Considering the needs of the people, banking services have also been limited and the banking regulator–Bangladesh Bank–will give necessary directives in this regard, he said.

Mr Islam said local administrations across the country have been asked to encourage social distancing among the people and the armed forces will help them in this respect.

“The armed forces will be deployed in all districts to assist the civil administration from March 24 (today) until further instruction. District magistrate will place their requisition to the nearby posted army commander,” he said.

He said the low income group people can go back home under the government’s ‘Ghore Fera Kormosuchi’ and get involved in income-generating activities with direct assistance of deputy commissioners (DCs) concerned.

Simultaneously, the government arranged accommodations and source of livelihood in Bhashanchar where interested persons can go and take the opportunity, he said.

“All the DCs were instructed to provide financial support or foods for the poor people who will face difficulties in generating income because of implementation of the corona prevention measures,” the cabinet secretary said.

He said the prime minister already directed the leaders of BMA (Bangladesh Medical Association) to make a list of 500 doctors who will be appointed to fight the communicable virus.

In the last instruction, the cabinet secretary said the government imposed a ban on all kinds of social, religious and political gatherings to curb the spread of COVID-19 that has already claimed three lives here.

“People with fever, cold and cough should not attend religious gatherings. Please say your prayers at home,” he said, adding that Islamic Foundation will talk with Islamic scholars over possible actions to discourage the people from going to mosques during the crucial time.

Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, principal secretary to the prime minister, said lockdown is not a scientific word and people should not be panicked. “We need to work together to overcome the crisis and all the government offices are working jointly.”

He also informed that a monitoring cell at the Prime Minister’s Office will remain open for 24 hours.

High government officials and representatives from Bangladesh Army were also present at the press briefing.

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