PM again warns of second wave
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that though the intensity of Covid-19 pandemic has declined slightly in the country, it is likely to increase in the coming winter.
She was replying to lawmakers' queries in parliament yesterday during the question-answer session of the PM. She sounded the warning in reference to opinions expressed by experts.
Her scripted answers were tabled in the House, with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
Replying to a query from ruling Awami League MP Didarul Alam, Hasina said the global epidemic has been successfully tackled in Bangladesh so far with the government's visionary leadership, timely decisions and efficient management.
"Although the intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh has decreased slightly at this moment, experts have opined that it may increase again in the coming winter. A second wave of the pandemic has already started in Europe and America," the premier said.
Noting that extensive preparations have been taken to deal with a possible second wave of the virus in the country, the PM said the government has instructed the authorities concerned to implement "no mask, no service" policy to contain the spread of novel coronavirus in the coming winter.
"Screening continues at the points of entry to the country. Staying in quarantine for 14 days has been made mandatory for the returnees from abroad. Activities are being carried out according to the action plan adopted for preventing and checking Covid-19."
Hasina also said a tripartite agreement was signed between the Bangladesh government, Serum Institute of India and Beximco Pharmaceuticals to import three crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
Replying to a question from AL MP AKM Rahmatullah, the premier informed the House that the government was able to arrange emergency financing from the development partners during the Covid-19 period on an emergency basis.
She said Bangladesh was receiving a financial assistance of Tk 2,720 crore as emergency assistance from Japan to fight the novel coronavirus.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing $600 million to prevent Covid-19 and another $30 million to procure novel coronavirus vaccines and medical equipment, the PM added.
Hasina said World Bank has provided $105 crore for employment generation in Bangladesh during the pandemic period.
"Again, we have received €110 million from the European Union for the garment sector. Germany and the European Union have pledged to provide €113 million for the garment and leather industries."
She also said the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has approved a loan of $100 million for Bangladesh.
Responding to a question from Jatiya Party's Fakhrul Imam, the leader of the House said all law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the police, have been working round the clock through mutual coordination between themselves to bring all those involved in sabotage and violent activities to book and take appropriate legal actions against them.
Replying to a query from another lawmaker, Hasina said the trend of increasing crop production has continued in the country by adopting the policy of bringing every inch of land under cultivation despite the affects of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PM said Bangladesh has now moved up to the third place from fourth in the world in terms of rice production. "As a result, food security in the country has been strengthened."
Besides, Bangladesh is a role model in agricultural development in the world today as the country remains in the third place in terms of vegetable production, 7th in mango production, 8th in potato and guava production, she added.