BNP for all-party committee to stop Covid surge

BNP today proposed the formation of an "all-party committee" to contain the second wave of coronavirus in Bangladesh.

"We think there's still time to form an all-party committee to get rid of the coronavirus problem. One thing we want to emphasise is that it's not possible to overcome a huge challenge like Covid without the involvement of people," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at a virtual press conference, he said it is necessary to involve people from all walks of life, political parties, different organisations and individuals to tackle a pandemic like coronavirus.

The BNP leader said effective campaigns should be launched to make people aware of the situation and the deadly virus.

"People need to be given an idea of the severity of the disease to get their cooperation in the fight against it. Let's save people and the country with united efforts based on a national consensus."

He said a strategy should be worked out to protect lives and livelihoods. "We call upon the government to provide adequate incentives to entrepreneurs of the informal sector."

Fakhrul said those who are working in the informal sector, including the employees of shops and small factories, should be given allowances as long as the problem persists, especially when there is a lockdown.

He also urged the government to carry out relief activities to mitigate the sufferings of the destitute and day-labourers.

As the government is planning to enforce a full lockdown from April 14, he said it should have a strategy to implement it by taking necessary steps to reduce public sufferings during Ramadan.