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Industries ministry has imposed a two-week ban on the import of ships in the interests of ship-breaking workers' health safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.
To this effect, the ministry will not issue any no-objection certificate for importing ships from March 23 to April 07 for the ship-building recycling sector.
The latest measure is meant to help stem further spread of the deadly coronavirus infection across the country.
A high official of the ministry said five imported ships have been asked to stay at the outer-anchorage of the Bay of Bengal as part of a coronavirus alert.
The oceangoing vessels will stay in quarantine for 15 days, he told the FE.
The official said they have also asked the Bangladesh Ship-Breakers and Recyclers Association to ensure health safety of 35,000 workers and officials at Sitakundu ship-rebuilding sector in Chattogram.
The ministry has sent an official order to the association to ensure health safety of workers and officials of the ship-recycling industry, he added.
The order includes a set of directives like restrictions on outsiders' access to Sitakundu ship-recycling site and compulsory use of sanitiser by workers and officials.
Checking body temperature on a regular basis, wearing mask and gloves, home quarantine in case of cough and sneezing and avoidance of public gathering are among other directives.