Tackling Coronavirus: Army starts patrolling

Bangladesh Army yesterday started to spread out troops in major cities to ensure social distancing and implementation of precautionary measures to curb coronavirus transmission.

"The personnel have been moved out to divisional and district headquarters and they are set to launch full scale anti-Covid 19 campaigns from today, finalising their operations with divisional and deputy commissioners," a defence ministry spokesman told the news agency.

The ministry's Inter Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) official said armed forces commanders were discussing with administrative chiefs of the divisions and districts to detail out the work plan.

"On completion of the coordination process, the army will launch their works in full scale from today," ISPR, meanwhile, said in a statement.

It added: "The army personnel will prepare lists of coronavirus-infected persons, extend cooperation and cooperate with the local administration to ensure quarantining of people who returned from abroad."

According to the statement, if required, the army would provide medical assistance at divisional and district level as well.

ISPR officials said personnel from all the three armed services of army, navy and air force will be on duty to take precautionary measures against the spread of Covid-19.

The naval forces will be on duty in coastlines to extend their assistance to the local administrations while air force will mobilise their resources in reaching necessary medical equipment and emergency transportations.