The High Court today asked the government to take necessary steps to stop price hike of masks, handwash and sanitisers, or storing them to make extra profits later.

It also directed the government to take measures to set up adequate thermal scanners at all ports.

The court said the government can put in place mobile courts to prevent an artificial crisis or price hike of these items.

In a suo moto rule, the court ordered the government to create awareness among people about coronavirus through newspaper advertisements.

It asked authorities to issue clearance certificates for people coming from abroad to Bangladesh, to ensure that they are not infected with coronavirus.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with the directives after receiving a government report about its preparation to contain a potential coronavirus outbreak.

Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Abdullah-Al-Mahmud Bashar submitted the report after collecting it from Directorate General of Health Services.

The court also expressed dissatisfaction as two of the three digital thermal scanners at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are out of order.

The judges said the government's initiatives in tackling the virus are commendable, but there is a lacking in preparedness to restrain its spread.