– In view of the fact that wearing a mask can be the simplest way to cut down the risk of developing a second wave of Covid-19 infection, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today once again urged all to use masks while coming out of the houses to further prevent onslaught of the deadly virus.
Her call came from the cabinet’s regular weekly meeting as the prime minister along with her cabinet colleagues took a serious note of massive resurfacing of Covid-19 in second peak in many European countries and the USA as well.
Chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the cabinet meeting had special discussion on the prevailing Covid-19 situation, calling upon the people to surely use masks as an effective preventive measure noting some still are away from donning the protective gear altogether.
The prime minister joined the virtual meeting from her official Ganabhaban residence here while her cabinet colleagues got connected to it from the Cabinet Division through a video conferencing.
“The cabinet meeting had special discussion about the Covid-19 situation in the country as many countries in the Europe and America have experienced fresh massive outbreak of the disease,” Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told a news briefing
He added that the prime minister urged all to be careful in this regard and use masks while coming out of the houses or attending public gatherings as part of the move to get protected from the coronavirus.
Anwarul went on saying that the prime minister and her cabinet colleagues expressed the hope that all would be more careful and attentive in using masks and thus decreasing the transmission of the Covid-19 automatically.
The cabinet also unanimously decided to make the masses aware by requesting them or motivating them or enforcing the law to make sure the use of masks by all, he said.
He said that they have already instructed
the deputy commissioners in the Sunday’s DCs conference to take pragmatic measures including conducting mobile courts and awareness campaign to ensure use of masks by the masses.
The Islamic Foundation has already been directed to ensure announcement relating to use of masks particularly before the Zohr and Magrib prayers from each of the mosques across the country, he also said.
In this connection, Anwarul said, “Our first and foremost
task will be to come out (of the houses) by using masks regularly.”
He continued that the infection rate will be declined automatically if everyone uses mask in the public places such as mosques, markets and similar other spots.
The cabinet secretary said that the government has favoured to raise a slogan “Please don’t enter without mask” in case of getting access to any market place, mosque or public gathering.
He requested all to use masks while attending the functions marking the upcoming Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.
“None in any circumstances will come to join the functions ahead of the Durga Puja,” he cautioned.
The cabinet secretary requested the media to play an effective role in making people aware by reminding them time to time about the urgency of using masks to be protected from the Covid-19 as a relax mode has been seen in many people about using masks.