Election Commission launches a training for teachers who will discharge duties in polling centres as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers amid the fear of coronavirus spread, while the government shut down educational institutes, sports events, social, religious and cultural gatherings to contain the virus.

Three new coronavirus cases have been detected in Bangladesh, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 20, an IEDCR official confirmed today.

Divisional directors of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), district civil surgeons and upazila health and family planning officers can take legal actions through running mobile courts to tackle the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The health ministry receives an allocation of Tk 200 crore in additional funds for taking necessary measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country and to treat patients.

The government authorises the Bangladesh army to run two quarantine centres in Dhaka in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Italy's death toll from coronavirus overtakes that of China, where the virus first emerged, as hospitals say they are being overwhelmed and the government prepares to prolong emergency lockdown measures.

Bayer AG says it has donated 3 million tablets of the malaria drug Resochin to the US government for potential use to treat COVID-19.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeals to citizens to observe a self-curfew on March 22 as part of a trial-run to test social isolation to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

A special flight of Saudi Arabian Airlines today brought back 406 Bangladeshis, who had been stranded in the kingdom, on a special flight after the Gulf nation suspended air communication with several countries, including Bangladesh, to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Leaves of all staffers and officials engaged in the health sector have been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak across the country, Health Minister Zahid Maleque says.

Around 200 elderly people are seen gathering in front of Dargah Gate branch of Sonali Bank in Sylhet city to collect their old-age allowance, defying the government directive on avoiding large gathering as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The government has instructed concerned authorities to halt all political, cultural and religious gatherings.

Movement of public transport has been limited in Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Juma prayers at a mosque -- 201 Gambuj Mosque -- in Tangail’s Gopalpur upazila have been suspended to prevent the risk of coronavirus spread.

A number of relatives of councillor candidates for the upcoming Chattogram City Corporation elections returned from abroad lately and are participating in election campaigns instead of being in home quarantine, the district administration has found.

All bus services between Rajshahi and Dhaka, Chattogram have been suspended for indefinite period to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque says the government will lock down the most vulnerable areas of the country -- such as Madaripur and Faridpur -- if the coronavirus outbreak worsens.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra today received government approval to import raw material which are needed to make the coronavirus-detection kit that was developed by the organisation.

Three Supreme Court lawyers send a letter to the president and prime minister, requesting them to declare state of emergency due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines today suspended its flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Singapore, spokespersons of Biman said today.