Gives 31-point directive
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the people to visit physicians if they show any symptom of coronavirus and not to pay heed to any rumour about the virus.
Issuing a 31-point directive on Thursday night in view of the Covid-19 outbreak, she warned that no corruption would be tolerated in the relief distribution.
Hasina advised that there should not be a wholesale use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by all.
Speaking to BSS, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said, “The prime minister has given the 31-point instruction in the wake of the novel coronavirus situation in the country.”
Her directives are as follows:
2. There is no need to hide information about the disease, rather go to physicians if symptoms of coronavirus infection show up.
3. Not all the people generally need to use PPE. Rather, it should be ensured that all those involved in the treatment of patients have PPE. Adopt cautionary measures to keep all treatment equipment, including PPE and masks, disinfected. Take special precautionary measures for disposal of waste.
4. Special priority will have to be given to protect the health of all doctors, nurses, lab technicians, cleaners, and ambulance drivers who are involved in the treatment of Covid-I9 disease.
5. Those who are in home quarantine or isolation should be treated humanely.
6. Regularly follow the health rules, including washing hands, using masks and maintaining social distancing.
7. Naval ambulances should be provided in the districts surrounded by rivers.
8. Proper health checkups and medical care for other patients should be continued.
9. Ensure cleanliness. All city corporations, municipalities and upazila parishads across the country will have to step up their cleanliness activities.
10. Attention should be given to law and order. All the government officials, including that of the Health Services Division, the administration, law enforcement agencies, and the Armed Forces Division will have to continue their works by maintaining proper coordination during this national disaster.
11. No corruption will be tolerated in the relief activities.
12. Assistance will have to be given to day laborers, workers, and peasants so that they don’t remain unfed, and a separate list of poor working people will have to be prepared.
13. Social safety net activities will continue.
14. Proper attention will have to be paid so that economic activities don’t become stagnant.
15. Food production system will have to continue, and more varieties of crops will have to be produced. Whatever needed for achieving food security will have to be done and no land should be kept uncultivated.
16. Supply system should be maintained.
17. General activities will continue and the prices of essentials will have to be kept under control.
18. All celebration programmes of the Bangla New Year should be suspended to avoid public gatherings. The celebration should be done through digital system staying at home.
19. Local public representatives, political leaders, people of all stages of the society will have to work together. The administration will have to work engaging all the people.
20. Alongside the government, the affluent people and institutions of the society will carry out their relief and healthcare activities maintaining coordination with the deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers.
21. The public representatives and upazila administration will distribute foods among the distressed people by preparing a ward-based list.
22. Special attention will have to be given to the most disadvantaged people like agriculture workers, day labourers, rickshaw and van-pullers, transport workers, beggars, street children, the women abandoned by husband, widows and ‘hijra’ community and providing relief to them will have to be ensured.
23. Necessary arrangements will have to be made for senior citizens and children.
24. All government employees and volunteer organisations will have to follow the standing orders (SOD) regarding the disasters.
25. Necessary arrangements will have to be made for monitoring production, supply and regular marketing of the essential goods.
26. Don’t buy excessive products after being panicked as there is adequate stock of all necessary goods including food grains.
27. The farmers will continue cultivation regularly, and in this case government incentives will continue.
28. All industry owners, businesspeople and individuals will keep their own industries, business establishments and houses clean.
29. The owners of industries will continue production through discussion with the workers and ensuring their health safety.
30. The media workers are playing a proper role in creating mass awareness and in this case, a watchful eye will have to be kept so that none can mislead the people by spreading rumours and false information.
31. Spreading rumours will have to be stopped. Various rumours are being spread. Don’t pay heed to rumours and don’t worry about it.
