PM urges all to avoid public gatherings, wear masks

Seeking cooperation from all to check the rapid transmission of coronavirus, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged people to avoid public gatherings, staying outside unnecessarily and wear face masks everywhere.

"This time the virus is spreading very rapidly. This resurgence is not only seen in our country but also throughout the world. So, I would like to tell all that we'll have to check the coronavirus again this time as we controlled everything in the first time," she told the parliament.

The Prime Minister made the call participating in the discussion over the condolence motion placed in the first sitting of the 12th session of Parliament at the death of MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury (Sylhet-3), reports UNB.

She said though coronavirus was largely controlled in Bangladesh initially, the sudden surge in the virus infection has recently been seen as people ignored hygiene rules after the Covid-19 inoculation programme started.

Sheikh Hasina said public movement and gatherings went up excessively, though she repeatedly asked all to wear masks and follow the health rules even after getting vaccinated.

Noting that the government has already issued some directives to check the transmission of Covid-19, she said, "We're trying to bring it under control gradually. But cooperation from people is needed in this regard."

"I would like to request to pay special attention so that no public gathering takes place anywhere," she said.

She suggested all to avoid large gatherings of people in social programmes like wedding and return home within a short time after completing their tasks in shops and markets.

"I would like to request all, no matter who is infected or not (by Covid-19), to wear masks always," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister suggested people to take the hot water steam and use mustard oil in their nose. Though the use of mustard oil is rural practice, it can be effective in many cases, she said.

"I always use mustard oil in my nose whenever go outside after the outbreak of Coronavirus," she added.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion expressing profound grief at the demise of a sitting MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury and some noted personalities.

The noted persons include PM's political adviser Hossain Toufique Imam (HT Imam), former prime minister Moudud Ahmed (Six-time MP from Noakhali-5 and Bogura-7), former state minister Mohammad Aman Ullah (four-time MP from Mymensingh-11) three other ex-MPs- Toabur Rahim (ex-member of Ganoparishad and also member of 1st parliament from then Sylhet-14), Abdul Majid Mandal (MP in 10th Parliament from Siranganj-5) and Monsur Ahmed (two-time MP from Satkhira-4).