Covid booster dose for senior citizens: Health Minister

The government will administer Covid-19 booster doses to senior citizens (aged 60 and above), but the date for the campaign has not yet been decided, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said today.

"We will sit later to set the date," he said while talking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting on Covid-19 at the ministry.

He said the meeting discussed measures on how to prevent Omicron, a new variant of Covid-19, from entering the country and contain its spread.

The minister said the government is recommending a ban on flights from African countries in a move to stem the infections.

"Those who are still arriving will be placed under institutional quarantine under the watch of the military," he said, adding that this applies also for passengers from European countries. Vigilance along the borders will be strengthened.

Zahid listed a number of other measures the meeting has decided to take in tackling the virus.

Deputy Commissioners will be asked to ensure that social, political and religious programmes are conducted on a limited scale.

Zahid said the country is now better prepared with hospital treatment of Covid patients than before.