No need for lockdown if health safety guidelines are maintained: Health minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said all the government agencies will jointly take a decision on imposing a lockdown.

"In the beginning, we knew nothing about corona. Now we know how to fight it, but we are not maintaining the health safety guidelines… If health safety guidelines are maintained, there will be no need for a lockdown. We have made our suggestion and now the government [high ups] will decide," the minister said.

He made the comments while addressing a ceremony honouring ten nurses for their contribution during the corona crisis at the KIB auditorium in Dhaka.

The Association of Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh organised the event marking International Women Day 2021.

Recently, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) gave a 12-point suggestion to the government, including complete lockdown, as the transmission of coronavirus was increasing.

About this, the minister said, "We want the economy of the country to remain stable; we also want the transmission not to rise… We [health ministry] cannot decide on a lockdown. All government agencies will decide collaboratively on it."

The minister alleged that the people are not maintaining health safety guidelines.

About mass gathering in social events, the minister said, "At least 20 lakh people visited Cox's Bazar, Bandarban and Rangamati in the last 15 days. Nobody wore a mask. They are participating in marriage ceremonies without wearing masks."

Urging people to be patient, he said, "It is not the right time to be going on tours. Be a little more patient. If [you] stay alive, you will be able to go on tours."