Containing Covid-19 Transmission: Quader urges all to avoid gatherings during Eid

Avoid gatherings and follow health guidelines during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha in order to contain Covid-19 transmission, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

"Everyone has to be aware to prevent the spread of coronavirus during the upcoming Eid," he told a virtual press conference from his official residence in Dhaka. 

Safety zones have to be created everywhere, including cattle markets, bus and launch terminals, ferry ghats, shopping malls and kitchen markets, he said. This has to be done by maintaining social distancing and following health guidelines. 

Quader, also Awami League general secretary, said, "We have to remain alert so that the joyous journey of Eid with family members does not turn into a sad voyage."

The minister said a section of dishonest people are cheating citizens over the coronavirus crisis -- by fraudulent sample-testing, issuing fake certificates, and erroneous plasma donation, adding that the government has taken a strong stance against such scams and irregularities. 

The minister also called out people who are moving freely hiding Covid-19 symptoms and infections, alongside those who are going abroad with false Covid-19 negative certificates. Calling upon people to take treatment from isolation once they are found with symptoms, he said if they conceal this information, the country's image will be tarnished and the fate of millions of expatriates will become uncertain.

He also announced AL advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu as the new spokesperson and coordinator of the central 14-party alliance.