Govt Has Enough Vaccines for 2nd Dose: Cabinet Secy

The government has enough stock to begin administering the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and will start inoculation on the scheduled time, April 8.

"There was discussion on the schedule of administering the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The premier made it clear that vaccination of second dose will begin as scheduled," Khandker Anwarul Islam, Cabinet Secretary, said at a briefing after the Cabinet meeting today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the meeting virtually from Gono Bhaban.

The meeting also decided on office hours during Ramadan.

Government offices will remain open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Judiciary and banking sectors will set their own working hours during Ramadan, he said.

Replying to a question on whether the new timing will clash with restrictions, the Cabinet secretary said they will sit on Thursday to discuss it.

The Cabinet also approved the draft Chattogram Port Authority Act 2021, keeping the provision of one-year imprisonment and a Tk 5 lakh fine for pollution.

"Often hazardous substances are stored. Sometimes ships release excessive fumes -- dangerous for humans. The punishment will be applicable for them," the Cabinet secretary said.