Keep your hands clean: Police HQ

Although coronavirus has not been reported in Bangladesh yet, the Police Headquarters (PHQ) in a precautionary move to prevent spread of the virus has issued a letter instructing all police units in the country to ensure hand-washing or sanitising facilities on their premises.

The letter, signed last week by Taptun Nasrin, assistant inspector general (health and education), also instructed all unit officials to not keep any birds or animals on the compounds of government residences.

The letter contains a brief description on how the virus spreads, symptoms and its prevention, along with instructions to keep police outposts, stations and barracks clean and arrange briefing for all officials by doctors or civil surgeons.

"We have issued the instruction to raise awareness [about coronavirus], and are giving reminders regularly," Sohel Rana, assistant inspector general of PHQ, told The Daily Star yesterday.

Abdul Warish, deputy commissioner (special branch) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), said they have already forwarded the letter to all police stations and asked them to follow the instructions properly.

Upon receiving the letter, officials of different police stations have already set up hand-washing amenities on their compounds for visitors and officials using their toilets, reports our staff correspondent from Chattogram.

"We have already taken necessary measures to raise awareness among our officials and locals about the virus attack," said Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Halishahar Police Station.

As a part of the campaign, police have circulated leaflets, banners and festoons in front of hospitals, police barracks, police stations, camps and residential areas.