Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Thursday said the government will address the mask shortage concern, but urged people not to buy those in panic.
He said Japan has assured them of providing 7 million masks soon.
“There is no need of using masks for healthy persons,” the health minister said in a briefing on Thursday, citing experts’ recommendations.
The briefing was organised for the latest coronavirus situation which has claimed 560 lives so far in the world. Bangladesh did not find any case yet.
The WHO declared the new virus as a global health emergency, but did not ask people to wear mask while going out. But cashing the situation, retailers in Bangladesh have pushed up the price of masks.
The health minister said those who are sick with fever, cough and running nose would use mask so that the virus does not spread to another.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
To fight further spread of the coronavirus outbreak in China and globally, and protect states with weaker health systems, the international community has launched a $675 million preparedness and response plan covering the months of February through to April 2020.
“My biggest worry is that there are countries today who do not have the systems in place to detect people who have contracted with the virus, even if it were to emerge,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Urgent support is needed to bolster weak health systems to detect, diagnose and care for people with the virus, to prevent further human to human transmission and protect health workers.”
