Awareness campaign launched in Rajshahi

With an aim to aware people on how to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, government officials in Rajshahi launched a campaign yesterday.

As part of the initiative, they went to different areas of the city and handed over leaflets to residents. Wearing masks and hand gloves, the officials also spoke to shop owners and vendors over the issue.

Talking to the journalists, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Humayun Kabir said though no one was being quarantined, they have to be prepared and alert.

He said mobile courts are also conducting drives to find out if anyone is flouting quarantine rules. So far, the courts have fined at least nine persons for violating instructions for home quarantine in eight districts of the division.

Out of 809 people who returned home from abroad till Thursday, 769 were asked to remain under home quarantine for two weeks, he said.

Rajshahi range police DIG AKM Hafiz Akhter and Rajshahi DC Hamidul Haque were also present during the campaign.

The move came after locals were complaining of lack of awareness over coronavirus outbreak and inadequate initiatives by the authorities concerned in this regard.

The district information office also carried out campaign in the city and told people to remain cautious through loudspeakers. Rajshahi Transport Labourers' Union did the same at bus terminals.

Meanwhile, despite Islamic Foundation's instruction to not gather for Friday prayers, most mosques in the city were packed.

After the prayers at Shah Makhdum Dargah mosque, an individual handed out 500 soaps among the underprivileged in the area.