Health Ministry advises to impose partial lockdown

Health ministry on Monday advised the government to enforce partial lockdown in the areas where Covid-19 infections are high.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque came up with the development on Monday noon.

He said that a decision on these issues will be taken in a day or two after discussions with the Prime Minister.

Zahid Maleque warned that the fatalities will increase in the country if the Covid-19 infection rate keeps on rising.

He further said, "Sufficient number of beds have been allocated in the hospitals but it is not possible to augment ICU services overnight, even if it is needed."

"Wedding, Picnic, Waj Mahfil should be restricted," he said adding, "We have also advised the government to close and restrict public gatherings on tourist spots like Cox's Bazar, Bandarban."

The suggestion further includes limiting passengers in public transports and curb in public gatherings at restaurants, according to the minister.

"We did not get this month's vaccine shipment yet. It will take May or June to get the vaccine doses. Hence, if it is too late to get the vaccine, we have to make another plan," the minister said.

So far 8,904 people have died from the virus in the country and 595,714 got infected since the pandemic started here in March last year.