Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday hinted at a possible nationwide lockdown, if required, to prevent the spread of coronavirus or Covid-19 in the country. “If required, entire Bangladesh will be locked down. It will be enforced where necessary. Saving life always comes first and we will do whatever necessary,” he said.
Quader, also Awami League general secretary, was replying to a query from reporters whether Bangladesh is ready to undergo a nationwide lockdown like other European countries to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. He further also said the movement of inter-district buses may be stopped, if necessary. “Passengers have already declined. But, we’ll even take more steps,” he added.
Referring to the World Health Organisation chief’s call to the South Asian counties for aggressive measures to fight COVID-19 pandemic, Quader said they are doing so. On the lax screening of passengers’ at the airports, he said, “Everything will be done to tackle the situation.”
The minister also sought help from and urged political parties to step in to fight coronavirus crisis. “We are trying to procure necessary equipment (to combat the COVID-19),” he informed. Describing coronavirus as a dangerous enemy, he said, “We’re even more powerful as a nation, which we proved yesterday (Tuesday). We hope we would defeat the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Quader also informed that all rallies and meetings will remain halted. As of Wednesday, Bangladesh has reported 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus with death. The globally death toll from the coronavirus climbed to 7,987. It has so far infected 198,426 people around the world, according to Worldmeter.
Of them, 107,676 are currently being treated with 6,415 being in serious or critical condition. So far, 90,750 cases had outcomes and of them, 82,763 (91 percent) recovered and 9 percent died. COVID-19 is affecting 162 countries and territories around the world and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harboured in Yokohama, Japan). The World Health Organization on March 11 declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic.
