Confusion over movement restrictions for the unvaccinated

The decision on not allowing anyone above the age of 18 on the streets or onto any mode of transport unless they are vaccinated—announced by the Liberation War affairs minister after an inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday—created a wave of criticism against the government's Covid-19 policy for being out of touch with reality and seemingly created on the fly. How else can one explain this outlandish idea when, according to the government's own data, only eight percent of its targeted population have received the first dose of the vaccine?

As has been the case with most Covid-related policies, there was, once again, utter confusion in the aftermath of this announcement. How will the government reach its target of inoculating approximately 11.8 crore people when, so far, only around two crore doses of vaccines had reached Bangladesh? Given that the authorities are already struggling to enforce a strict lockdown, how do they plan on checking those who are unvaccinated? Are people meant to carry their vaccine certificates with them? What sort of punishment will be given to those who break this new "rule"?

These perfectly legitimate questions and the storm of criticism that ensued led to another strange turn of events—yesterday afternoon, the health ministry issued a press release distancing itself from the Liberation War affairs minister's announcement, saying "no such decision or proposal was given anywhere on behalf of the ministry". So are we to assume that the health minister or any other representative of his ministry was not invited to the inter-ministerial meeting? Or that, despite being there, the input of the ministry in charge of the public health system during the worst phase of this pandemic was simply not asked for? Or did they listen to the suggestion of movement restrictions for the unvaccinated and simply stayed silent about it? Or did the suggestion not come up for discussion at all, and was only arbitrarily announced later?

To further add to the confusion, on the heels of the health ministry's press release, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs also issued a press release withdrawing its statement. While we appreciate the withdrawal of this completely ludicrous and unjust proposition, we are deeply concerned at what can only be called a chaotic state of affairs within the government, where there seems to be no consensus or cohesion regarding pandemic-related decisions. How can we expect to have policies that are thorough, well-thought-out and grounded in evidence and reality in the midst of such total disarray?

Over the past few days, there have already been crowds at the vaccination centres, increasing potential risks of Covid-19 transmission. After Tuesday's meeting, the Liberation War Affairs minister, whose mandate generally doesn't include healthcare, gave shopkeepers all of three days to ensure they are vaccinated so they can open up their shops. The government's slipshod and erratic decisions have needlessly created uncertainty and panic, when they should be providing guidance and leadership during an emergency. 

We urge the government to consult with experts to come up with the best policies to rein in the pandemic in Bangladesh. At the height of this Covid-19 wave, it is not enough for the authorities to consult amongst themselves and come up with rules that ultimately do not benefit the public. They must involve all stakeholders and come up with more judicious policies.