Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said people are astonished at the fraudulence of two hospitals in coronavirus sample testing.

He made the remark while briefing reporters online from his official residence.

Quader, also Awami League General Secretary, urged the authorities concerned to bring all the accused to justice soon after investigations.

Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government neither spared wrongdoers in the past nor will do in the future.

About cattle markets before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Quader said permission will not be given to arrange animal markets whimsically at any place beside highways.

Over the experts' fear of coronavirus transmission during Eid, Quader said the National Technical Advisory Committee has advised not to allow setting up animal markets in some districts.

 It will bring good results if their advice is followed properly, Quader added.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today called upon all authorities concerned to work together to protect people from the risk of coronavirus spread --centring journey ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

The BRTA mobile court will monitor the situation round the clock and it will take action, Quader said.

He made the call while addressing a meeting of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), held at its head office in Dhaka, through a video conference from his official residence.

About safety measures, he said all vehicles must be disinfected after end of each trip and vehicles cannot stop during journey, except for emergency or taking fuel.

Passengers, drivers and their assistants will have to wear masks and maintain physical distancing rules during the journey to avoid risk of spreading the virus, he said.

He said a joint taskforce formed by all stakeholders including law enforcement agencies, Dhaka north and south city corporations and BRTA will remain active at all terminals across the capital to make the efforts successful.

Alongside, the BRTA mobile court will remain active and they will go for immediate action whenever they receive complaints or find irregularities ahead of the journey, the minister said.

Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to ply the highways across the country-- from three days before Eid-ul-Azha, he said

Besides, emergency services like vehicles carrying medicines, newspaper, perishable goods and sacrificial animals will remain out of the purview of the restriction, he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address the nation this evening, marking the second anniversary of her current government formed through the December 30, 2018 general election.

Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television will simultaneously broadcast the prime minister's address from 7:30pm, said PM's Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam.

Sheikh Hasina formed the government for the third consecutive term following her party Awami League's landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election.

The new cabinet was formed on January 7, 2019.

The Cabinet Division today published a gazette distributing portfolios among the new cabinet members immediately after its 47 members took oath at Bangabhaban.

The outgoing cabinet got abolished with the publication of the gazette.

According to the gazette, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will have the portfolios for Cabinet Division, Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

There are 24 ministers, 19 state ministers and three deputy ministers in the new cabinet constituted following Awami League’s landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election held on December 30, 2018.