Coronavirus

Omicron: Govt set to slap curbs

Inter-ministerial meeting discusses measures to contain Covid-19

The government will soon announce restrictions to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, but has no plan right now to enforce any lockdown.

The restrictions include reducing the number of public events, cutting the number of passengers in public transport, restricting restaurants from selling foods to unvaccinated customers and penalising people for not wearing masks outdoors, if necessary.

Besides, the number of Covid tests at all ports will be increased and quarantine for the people entering the country will be strictly ensured.

The decisions were made at an inter-ministerial meeting on Omicron, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, at the Secretariat yesterday evening.

Following the meeting, Health Minister Zahid Maleque told reporters that the cabinet division would issue a circular in this regard within the next 15 days.

Earlier in the day, Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said the Omicron variant may cause a major spike in Covid-19 transmission in the country in March-April.

Zahid said, "No situation to impose any lockdown has arisen yet. So, we did not recommend a lockdown for now. The meeting was called to decide steps so that lockdown can be avoided."

At the meeting, Prof Tahmina Shirin, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), shared information on the current Covid situation.

She said transmission of Omicron variant has not yet become alarming for the country, said meeting sources.

Tahmina later told The Daily Star, "Those who have not been jabbed will get time to get the shots."

Meanwhile, replying to reporters' queries at an event in the capital, Education Minister Dipu Moni said classes at educational institutions would be suspended again if the situation demanded so.

'HOSPITALS BETTER PREPARED'

Speaking to reporters yesterday, DGHS DG Bashar said hospitals were now better prepared to tackle the Covid situation. "Like other countries, we are also worried about Omicron. But we think we have nothing to plan anew. We have to strengthen the capacities of hospitals that we readied during the previous Covid waves."

He said ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of oxygen was at the heart of their preparations. "If we can address the oxygen shortage problem, it will be a big supportfor us. Because we have seen that oxygen was the main thing required by Covid patients."

Bashar also said most of the 40 oxygen generators had already been installed in hospitals. "Besides, central oxygen supply system has already been installed at most district hospitals."

The DGHS chief also said people with chronic diseases, irrespective of their age, would be able to take the booster dose of Covid vaccine even if they did not get any SMS from the authorities.

For more than a week, the country has been witnessing a steady rise in novel coronavirus infections. Besides, at least 10 Covid Omicron cases have been detected so far.

In 24 hours preceding 8:00am yesterday, the health directorate reported 674 fresh Covid cases -- the highest daily cases since October 6.

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Omicron: Govt set to slap curbs

Inter-ministerial meeting discusses measures to contain Covid-19

The government will soon announce restrictions to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, but has no plan right now to enforce any lockdown.

The restrictions include reducing the number of public events, cutting the number of passengers in public transport, restricting restaurants from selling foods to unvaccinated customers and penalising people for not wearing masks outdoors, if necessary.

Besides, the number of Covid tests at all ports will be increased and quarantine for the people entering the country will be strictly ensured.

The decisions were made at an inter-ministerial meeting on Omicron, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, at the Secretariat yesterday evening.

Following the meeting, Health Minister Zahid Maleque told reporters that the cabinet division would issue a circular in this regard within the next 15 days.

Earlier in the day, Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said the Omicron variant may cause a major spike in Covid-19 transmission in the country in March-April.

Zahid said, "No situation to impose any lockdown has arisen yet. So, we did not recommend a lockdown for now. The meeting was called to decide steps so that lockdown can be avoided."

At the meeting, Prof Tahmina Shirin, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), shared information on the current Covid situation.

She said transmission of Omicron variant has not yet become alarming for the country, said meeting sources.

Tahmina later told The Daily Star, "Those who have not been jabbed will get time to get the shots."

Meanwhile, replying to reporters' queries at an event in the capital, Education Minister Dipu Moni said classes at educational institutions would be suspended again if the situation demanded so.

'HOSPITALS BETTER PREPARED'

Speaking to reporters yesterday, DGHS DG Bashar said hospitals were now better prepared to tackle the Covid situation. "Like other countries, we are also worried about Omicron. But we think we have nothing to plan anew. We have to strengthen the capacities of hospitals that we readied during the previous Covid waves."

He said ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of oxygen was at the heart of their preparations. "If we can address the oxygen shortage problem, it will be a big supportfor us. Because we have seen that oxygen was the main thing required by Covid patients."

Bashar also said most of the 40 oxygen generators had already been installed in hospitals. "Besides, central oxygen supply system has already been installed at most district hospitals."

The DGHS chief also said people with chronic diseases, irrespective of their age, would be able to take the booster dose of Covid vaccine even if they did not get any SMS from the authorities.

For more than a week, the country has been witnessing a steady rise in novel coronavirus infections. Besides, at least 10 Covid Omicron cases have been detected so far.

In 24 hours preceding 8:00am yesterday, the health directorate reported 674 fresh Covid cases -- the highest daily cases since October 6.

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