General Holidays Only in Coronavirus ‘Red Zones’: State Minister

As COVID19 cases and deaths in Bangladesh continues to escalate alarmingly, the government has taken all appropriate precautions to shut down some virus hotspots (Red Zones) and to announce public holidays there in order to deter entry and exit from these areas.

“The areas where infection rate is high will be declared as ‘Red Zone’ and general holiday will be announced in those areas but countrywide general holidays will not be declared to any further extend,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told media.

“Offices will remain open as usual maintaining health guidelines even after June 15. Public transport movement will continue. We’ve taken a decision in this regard. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will give final approval and an order will be issued soon in this regard after her approval,” he said.  

The government issued a gazette notification allowing limited operation of public transport and offices from May 31 to June 15 amid the coronavirus outbreak. But the coronavirus cases and deaths started to rise soon after the reopening of offices and resumption of public transport movement.

The worst affected areas will be announced in the Red Zones for 14 to 21 days, he said, adding that some faults were identified after the East Rajabazar area under experimental lockdown and experience will be applied for the next ones.

“Committees will be formed in locked down areas to monitor the areas,” he added.

It is almost final which areas in Dhaka and other sections of the country are to be declared 'Red Zone' and will soon be confirmed, he added.

If the announcement is not made at a time, people from the Red Zones will travel to other areas, he said, adding "A technique will be applied in this regard."

Health Ministry’s Media cell chief and additional secretary Md Habibur Rahman Khan told UNB that a meeting was held yesterday has finalized the decision about zoning.

“Now a specialized team is working to finalize the zones,” he added.

“The announcement over zoning will be made within a day or two so that people can’t move from one place to another,” he said.”

Dr Abul Kalam Azad, director general, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), told UNB that local administration will start enforcing lockdown in Dhaka and other parts of the country.

Letters have been sent to all Deputy Commissioners in this regard, he added

City corporations, municipalities, and district authorities that lock down any area if necessary, he added, adding that the local administration of the Manikganj area today took permission to do so.

Earlier on Friday, Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam instructed the local committees of the ministry to become active after the government’s announcement of zonal lockdown to fight coronavirus.

Bangladesh on Friday reported the record of new coronavirus cases- 3,471 and record deaths- 46 in the span of 24 hours until Friday morning.

The country has so far reported 84,379 coronavirus cases and 1,139 deaths.

Source: UNB