Form joint taskforce to tackle coronavirus

Nagorik Oikya yesterday demanded rescheduling of by-elections to three parliamentary constituencies and elections to Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) instead of March 21 and 29 respectively, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking at a press conference, the party convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna also placed a 20-point recommendation including formation of an immediate taskforce for a coordinated effort to tackle coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Nagorik Oikya organised the press conference on "Corona situation and way forward" at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Citing the government's lack of coordination, Manna said a taskforce should be formed immediately with people from all concerned sectors.

"The Election Commission is yet to defer the upcoming polls although the government has already banned all types of religious, political and social gatherings; the main problem in Bangladesh is that government's directives are not implemented properly," he said.

He said local administrations should strictly implement the High Court directives of compelling returnees to remain in home quarantine.

"Even people who have come in contact with them [returnees] must be quarantined; military or paramilitary forces should be used in this regard, if needed" he said.

Manna said the government should also let people know about the authentic information about this pandemic to make them aware. He also recommended the government to ensure coronavirus testing facilities in every district.

"According to the World Health Organization guidelines, people need to be screened if they have symptoms and the government should provide treatment accordingly," Manna said.

He said the kit, invented by the Gonoshasthaya Kendra, must be commercially produced.

His other recommendations include providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to doctors and other healthcare professionals throughout the country; ensuring hygiene of people by distributing hand sanitisers among them; cleaning public transports; preparing isolation units and ensuring economic security of the marginalised.

Among others, party leaders Atiqul Islam, Mominul Islam and Dr Jahidur Rahman were present at the conference