Govt trying its best to resist coronavirus: PM

Noting that the government is making an all-out effort to fight coronavirus, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged people to follow instructions regarding prevention of the virus.

"We've been trying our best to resist Covid-19 or coronavirus… the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) is regularly providing instructions to raise awareness over the virus. All will have to follow these instructions," she said today, addressing a function at her official residence Gono Bhaban.    

The prime minister said this at the inauguration of the countrywide clean-up campaign under the 'Clean Village-Clean Town' Programme on the occasion of Mujib Borsho.

The Local Government Division has taken the 'Clean Village-Clean Town' Programme aiming to build a clean Bangladesh by inspiring all to keep their surroundings neat and clean to prevent diseases, including mosquito- and water-borne ones.

Hasina said if anyone suspects that s/he has been infected with coronavirus or if any symptom of virus is seen, the person will immediately have to take treatment from physicians.

"We've kept hospitals and health centres ready in this regard in every district and upazila as well," she added.

The prime minister suggested the returnees from foreign countries to keep themselves isolated from others for some days and see whether they develop any symptoms.

Mentioning that the people of the country are less conscious regarding health, she suggested that they not spit here and there and wash their hands with soap upon returning home from outside, to protect themselves.

She urged people to keep their homes, offices, workplaces neat and clean as well as dump waste in a specific place, to prevent the transmission of infectious viruses.

The premier directed all concerned to develop a waste management system up to the village level throughout the country to build a clean Bangladesh.

"I earlier issued the directives and I am giving them again that we've to develop the waste management system even up to the village level. There must be designated places to dump waste at every village, ward, union, upazila, district and elsewhere," she said.

Later, she joined the videoconference to exchange views with the people of Rajshahi, Jashore and Mymensingh about the clean-up campaign.

Leader of the opposition in parliament Raushon Ershad also spoke on the occasion.