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The Ministry of Shipping is taking preparations to use passenger launches as isolation units to fight against the novel coronavirus.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said necessary measures will be taken after talks with the health ministry, reports UNB.
“These isolation centres will play an important role, especially in the coastal areas, where coronavirus treatment is not available, he said at a views exchange meeting with launch owners at Dhaka’s Sadarghat.
Shipping Ministry Secretary Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, Director General of Department of Shipping Commodore Syed Ariful Islam, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq, Launch Owner Samity Vice-President Shahidul Islam Bhaiya, among others, were present.
Adequate security measures will be taken and the launches will be taken to a safe place after discussion at the cabinet, he said.
The state minister said, "We’re supporting the shipping workers until the coronavirus crisis is over."
Later, the state minister distributed 200 packets of food items among the workers at Sadarghat.