coronavirus
Egyptian lawmaker says China's precautionary measures help contain virus spread
Precautionary measures which proved effective in China have helped Egypt contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, Egyptian deputy speaker of the House of Representatives told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Ensure one-way entry to kitchen markets everywhere: PHQ
The Police Headquarters on Sunday asked the kitchen market authorities across the country for ensuring a one-way entry system as part of maintaining social distancing to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The Police Headquarters has come up with the directive as the risk of coronavirus spread has increased due to the lack of control of crowding inside kitchen markets.
Woman suffering from fever, cold dies in Chuadanga
An elderly woman suffering from cold, cough, fever and diarrhoea died at Basutipara village in Jibannagar upazila on Saturday afternoon.
The deceased was identified as Rehejan Begum, 65, wife of late Abdul Latif of Khairhuda village in the upazila.
Locals said she caught cold, cough, fever and diarrhoea during her stay at her relative’s house in Moheshpur upazila in Jhenaidah. Later, she returned to her daughter’s house where she died in the afternoon.
Jibannagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sirajul Islam said they buried the deceased following the government rules.
They also put four houses under lockdown, he said.
Upazila Health Complex Officer Dr Juliad Pardine said they collected the samples of the deceased because she had the symptoms of coronavirus.
The samples were sent to Sadar Hospital for coronavirus test, he added.
OKUP concerned at ‘pushback’ of ‘undocumented’ Bangladeshi migrants
The Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme (OKUP) has expressed concerns at the decision by some labour receiving countries to send back so-called undocumented Bangladeshi migrant workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It is “inhuman, cruel and unjust”, the organisation said in a statement on Sunday. OKUP said the move would affect the lives of numerous migrants and their families.
The organisation noted that Bangladesh is currently not in a position to receive the huge number of migrant workers. “We strongly protest the decision taken by some labour receiving countries,” it said.
OKUP said the migrant workers are victims of the whole recruitment system, primarily the ‘kafala’ or ‘sponsorship’ recruitment system. It said migrant workers contribute a lot to the overall development of the countries of destination.
“We appeal to the governments of those labour receiving countries to annul their decision at this moment of global COVID-19 pandemic,” the organisation said.
Expatriate Bangladeshi workers sent back $16.42 billion in remittance in the 2018-19 fiscal year. In the first two months of this year, expatriates sent back $3.1 billion.
OKUP recommend Bangladesh to prepare a multi-year plan for the repatriation of its ‘undocumented migrant workers’ and carry out strong negotiation and lobby with the government of those countries for their cooperation in systematic repatriation rather than a sudden ‘push back’.
Bangladesh can raise the issue in the regional platform of labour sending countries like ‘Colombo Process’ and seek their cooperation to deal with the concerns jointly.
“We recommend that the government must prepare a comprehensive ‘Plan of Action’ for short-term, mid-term and long-term reintegration and livelihoods of the returnees,” OKUP said.
The short-term plan may include emergency supports upon return; the mid-term is to assist the returnees in starting alternative income generation activities while the long-term mega-plan should focus on creating sustainable livelihoods for all Bangladeshi workers in the changing global economic landscape caused by the impact of COVID-19.
Ministries, departments, development partners, and other stakeholders including migrants’ organisations could work together in this regard, it said.
“We draw due attention of the government of Bangladesh for a sincere assessment and review of the whole recruitment system, take necessary actions to ensure improved recruitment system, and make sure accountability of key actors in the recruitment practices in the post COVID-19 era,” OKUP said.
“We want equal protection and services for the migrant workers irrespective of their status in all countries of destination in this pandemic situation of COVID -19,” the organisation said.
98 more people sent to home quarantine in Satkhira
The local administration sent 98 more people to home quarantine in the district in the last 24 hours until Sunday morning.
Coronavirus: BGMEA reports $3.15 billion order cancellation
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Sunday said buyers have so far cancelled orders worth US$ 3.15 billion following the outbreak of coronavirus.
Medical oxygen production going on in full swing at Tangail BSCIC
Bangladesh Industrial Gas Ltd (BIGL) has been producing medical oxygen at Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial area in Tangail.
Bangladesh must bolster COVID-19 action to protect people, revive economy: WB
Bangladesh and other South Asian countries must ramp up action to curb the health emergency, protect their people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and set the stage now for fast economic recovery, the World Bank said in its twice-a-year-regional update on Sunday.
Coronavirus: PM holds videoconference with Barisal, Khulna divisions
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is holding a videoconference with officials of districts under Barisal and Khulna divisions to discuss the present coronavirus situation there.
Uber Eats to deliver essentials in Dhaka
Uber has said that it is partnering with grocery chains and small independent businesses in Dhaka to deliver essential supplies on the doorsteps of the customers.