Coronavirus: petition seeks closing of educational institutions, ports, borders

A Supreme Court lawyer today filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking directives on the government to close all educational institutions, land, sea and air ports and borders across the country to prevent spread of coronavirus.

Advocate Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition as a public interest litigation, also praying to the HC to order the government to set up necessary equipment and arrange treatment for coronavirus patients at all land, sea and air ports and bordering areas.

In the petition, he prayed to the court to issue a rule asking the government why its inaction to close schools, colleges, universities, ports and borders considering people's safety should not be declared illegal.     

He further said that the government is responsible to ensure treatment and safety of people under the constitutions.  But the government is yet to close educational institutions, ports and borders and failed to discharge its constitutional responsibility.

Many countries have already closed educational institutions, ports and borders to prevent spread of coronavirus, he mentioned.

After submitting the petition, Eunus Ali told The Daily Star that the High Court may hear it tomorrow.