Shutdown being gradually relaxed to help people make a living: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is gradually relaxing the nationwide shutdown -- initiated to curb the transmission of Covid-19 -- so that people can make a living.

"We are trying to open (the countrywide shutdown) slowly so that people can make a living and sustain their lives in the month of Ramadan," she said while joining a donation handing over ceremony through video conference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in Dhaka.

PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus received the cheques on behalf of the premier at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), BSS reports.

"We know people are going through great hardship (amid shutdown to tackle the coronavirus outbreak). So, we have been trying our best to ease their plights," she said.

Referring to the prediction of famine by various global organisations due to the coronavirus pandemic, she said, "We have given special focus on ensuring food security, so that people of our country are not affected due to the pandemic."

The prime minister credited the government's efforts for the bumper production of (Boro) paddy and said she had already asked the agriculture minister to take prompt measures to bring all arable lands under cultivation immediately after harvesting the Boro paddy.

She called upon the countrymen to grow whatever they can in their land to ensure food security.

She also lauded organisations and individuals for making generous contributions to support the government's efforts in fighting the Covid-19 fallout.

The prime minister reiterated her appeal to all to abide by "stay at home" and social distancing directives following the guidelines of the health directorate and World Health Organization (WHO) to stop transmission of Covid-19.