Fighting the Second WaveGovt seeks stricter implementation of PMO directives

In the wake of the alarming spike in Coronavirus cases, the government has decided it must take a tougher stance towards implementing the 18-point directive issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) earlier in the week, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The move came after the country recorded its highest-ever daily coronavirus cases (6,469) and registered more than 5,000 cases for the fourth straight day on Thursday (Apr 1).

Following the health protocols, all ministries and organisations have been instructed to use only 50 percent of their manpower in office for two straight weeks by State Minister of Public Administration Farhad Hossain.

Strict instructions have been issued to all the ministries and associated organisations asking them to follow the directives, he said.

“We already started following the instruction from Wednesday and the rest of the ministries started implementing the directive from Thursday. All ministries and departments will form a duty roster for all their staff,” he said.

One half of the staff will attend office three days and two days from home in the first week and the second half will work the same way in the second week, Hossain said, adding that pregnant and officials above 55 years old will work online from home.

Besides, all of the private and non-government organisations and offices were also directed to employ 50 percent of workers in office and rest online from home, the State Minister said.

Pregnant employees and officials above 55 years old will work online from home, he said.

“We will ensure that no one goes outside after 10 pm unnecessarily and also launch a monitoring programme on the grass-root level. Law enforcers will work in this regard,” Farhad Hossain said.

The government will decide the next course of action after maintaining all the directives for two weeks and review the decision after April 12, he said.

The Home Ministry said as the 18-point directive landed on Monday, police already prepared a work plan to implement the instructions across the country including the capital.

Police check-posts have been installed at different places including Dhaka and a massive campaign is operated by cops and local administration to raise awareness among people, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.

Moreover, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said the administration will do everything to constantly monitor the implementation of the health directives

“The way number of patients is rising… if the scenario continues, no hospitals will have seats to admit patients. All must act immediately to curb the massive transmission. The pandemic might take a devastating form if we fail to follow the 18-directives issued by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the minister said.

Secretary of Health Services Division Abdul Mannan said they have already started following the health directive strictly.

Transport restrictions

Bangladesh Railway is operating keeping 50 percent of its seats vacant to curb the transmission of COVID-19 since Wednesday, said Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan.

Half of the 50 percent railway tickets will be available online and the rest will be sold at the stations, the minister said adding that “We won’t carry any passenger without following the health guideline and take all necessary measures to ensure hygiene in trains and stations.”

Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Secretary-General Khandakar Enayetullah said all buses are carrying 50 percent of passengers with the direction of the government.

BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad Majumdar said that they have taken overall measures in this regard and mobile courts will be operated to prevent transport workers from violating the instructions.

State Minister for Shipping Ministry Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said they are also maintaining the 18-point directive by taking only 50 percent of passengers.

Passengers will have to step into launch after following all health guidelines otherwise legal action will be taken, he warned.

Meanwhile, incoming flights from all countries of Europe except the United Kingdom have been prohibited to prevent coronavirus transmission, said Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman. The decision to exempt the UK has baffled observers.

Twelve other countries that have been placed on the list alongside the Europeans are Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Jordan, Lebanon, Peru, Qatar, South Africa, Turkey and Uruguay.

The prohibition will remain in action from April 3 to April 18, Rahman said, adding that the airlines can only carry transit passengers from these nations during this time and they will have to remain inside the Airport terminal during the transit period.

The returnees from foreign countries who are allowed in will have to remain in institutional quarantine for 14 days at a quarantine centre or specific hotel, he said.

Besides, all travellers must have COVID-19 negative certificates (Sample collected within 72 hours) for leaving or entering the country, he added. Passengers will have to wear face shields along with masks.

All the directives came into effect on March 30 and will remain in force until further notice, he said.

Movement of all tourist ships on Teknaf-Saint Martin's Island route have been suspended, and all tourist spots in places like Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet have been instructed to close.

However, the movement of vessels carrying regular passengers and daily essentials will remain normal, subject to maintaining health guidelines.

Besides, the Election Commission (EC) late in the week postponed all elections scheduled for April 11. The National Cricket League has also been postponed midway.