COVID-19
'No iftar gatherings, sehri in mosques during Ramadan'
The government has asked the Muslim devotees not to arrange iftar gatherings and sehri in mosques during Ramadan to contain the recent surge in Covid-19 infections.
The religious affairs ministry on Monday issued new directives in this connection.
The guidelines also include instructions on praying in congregations at mosques. "The devotees must come to mosques after performing their ablution and Sunnah prayers at home. If they do not do so, they must wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds while performing ablution at mosques," it read.
Also read: Govt reschedules office timing for Ramadan
The ministry said the worshippers, who visit mosques to pray in congregation, must arrive there wearing masks.
Mosque management committees must ensure the availability of handwashing facilities – sanitisers and soap water – at the entrance.
They have also been asked not to use carpets and clean the mosques with disinfectants before the five daily prayers.
"The devotees must bring their prayer mats. Social distancing must be ensured while they stand for prayers" the ministry said. "Children, elderly, sick people and attendants to the ill must not attend congregations."
Also read: Wear masks at mosques: Islamic Foundation
Also, the ministry asked local administration, law enforcement, khatib, imam and mosque committees to ensure the implementation of the said directives.
Local administration and law enforcement will take legal steps if anyone violates the instructions, the ministry said.
In the wake of Covid-19 infections and fatalities, the government imposed a seven-day lockdown from Monday.
Also read: Public transport to be suspended from Monday: Quader
Most of the transport services would remain suspended while the office work would continue on a limited scale.
On March 28, the Saudi government announced that there would be no iftar gatherings or Aitekaf at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah during Ramadan.
Lockdown Day 1: Protests held, health rules, govt directives defied
Bangladesh passed the first day of its weeklong lockdown on Monday.
A record rise in the number of cases in recent days prompted the government to go for the tough measure, the second time since Covid-19 cases were first reported in March last year.
On Sunday, when the lockdown announcement came, health authorities recorded 7,087 new cases. A day later, the number was 7,075.
Only essential service providers are allowed to operate during the lockdown. But shop owners in Dhaka and Chattogram came out on the streets and demanded that the operation of businesses during the lockdown be allowed.
They incurred huge losses during last year’s Eid festivals when the country was under lockdown to tackle the transmission of the virus. Traders see their highest sales during the Eid season.
With Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest festivals of Muslims, scheduled to be celebrated in mid-May, an extension of the lockdown will be devastating for them, the traders said.
Meanwhile, the people seemed reluctant about following the government's orders. For many small shops and businesses, it was business as usual. In many areas, police forced the shops to close but they reopened as soon as the policemen went away.
People seemed reluctant about abiding by health guidelines. Although the number of people wearing masks has apparently increased, they are still ignoring the physical distancing rules and crowding tea stalls and roadside shops for evening chats.
The following photos were taken from Dhaka and Chattogram.
Global Covid-19 cases surge past 131 million
The global Covid-19 cases surpassed 131 million on Monday despite the rapid vaccination campaign across the world, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The JHU data shows that the global case count reached 131,203,647 as of Monday morning while the death toll from the virus mounted to 2,852,196.
Also Read: Global Covid cases hit 130.6 million
The confirmed cases of Covid-19 surpassed 30 million in the USA alone on March 25.
The global death toll from Covid-19 now stands at over 555,001.
On Sunday, Brazil registered 1,240 more deaths and 31,359 new cases, with the total fatalities reaching 331,433, its health ministry reported.
Registering a total of 12,984,956 infections, Brazil is currently one of the global epicenters of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the world's second-worst outbreak in terms of both deaths and infections, only after the United States.
Also Read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 6000+ cases for 2nd straight day
As of Saturday, Brazil has vaccinated 24.5 million people against Covid-19. Among them, 19.18 million received the first dose while 5.32 million both doses.
India’s total tally reached 12,495,509 while the death toll 64,623.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded 7,087 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours until Sunday morning which is the highest number of infections since the pandemic has hit the country.
Besides, the coronavirus fatalities rose to 9,266 with 53 new deaths during the period. The mortality rate fell to 1.45 on Sunday from Saturday’s 1.46 percent.
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 637,364 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later.
Countrywide lockdown
In an effort to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus and improve the current situation, the government has issued a gazette imposing restrictions on the movement of people and other activities for seven days from Monday.
The Cabinet Division issued the gazette on Sunday which will remain in force from 6 am on April 5 till 12 am on April 11.
Vaccination drive
The government launched a countrywide vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India.
Bangladesh signed an agreement with Serum in December last year for 30 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Serum is supposed to supply the doses between January and June this year – 5 million each month.
Leaving before Lockdown
A large number of homebound people were seen gathering at railway station and bus terminals as the government announced 7-day countrywide lockdown from Monday.
Commuters fearing suspension of public transport crowding at the bus and launch terminals amid the risk of Coronavirus transmission.
Excessive pressure transports was seen on the highway causing long tailbacks.
Motivate people to follow govt’s covid guidelines: IGP to police
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Sunday told police to motivate the people to follow the government’s directives to tackle the transmission of coronavirus.
He gave the directive to all metropolitan police, range and district police superintendents through a video conference from the Police Headquarters.
A surge in infection prompted the Prime Minister Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on March 29. The Cabinet Division gave an 11-point guideline on April 4.
Also read: Bangladesh set to enforce nationwide lockdown Monday amid Covid surge
Benazir emphasised motivating the people and not using force to implement the directives when the country enters a seven-day lockdown from Monday.
The IGP said that like last year, the kitchen markets have to be set up in open space. Following health guidelines must be ensured there.
About the quarantine of returnees, he said that if anyone comes from abroad, they have to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
Also read: Govt issues gazette restricting people’s movement, other activities for 7 days
Emergency services, factories and garments industries will remain open, he said, adding that public transport will be closed. The movement of vehicles carrying goods should be kept normal.
He instructed police officers and the force to perform their duties following proper health guidelines. The IGP directed to strictly implement the 'No Mask No Entry' policy at all police installations.
He also instructed the police officers to regularly disinfect all police installations.
Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge
The IGP said that after coronavirus cases were first detected in the country in March last year, police stood by the people as a humanitarian force to tackle the crisis.
He hoped that everyone would work together to curb the spread of coronavirus by implementing the government's orders to deal with the second wave.
Bangladesh set to enforce nationwide lockdown Monday amid Covid surge
The government is set to impose a nationwide lockdown for a week from Monday morning as part of its tougher move to slow down the rapid spike in both coronavirus infection and mortality rates.
The main objective of the lockdown is to control unnecessary public movements and gatherings with stronger monitoring by the members of law enforcement agencies and thus contain the virus transmission.
It will be the first official lockdown in Bangladesh to tackle the deadly coronavirus. On March 26 last year, the government had declared general holidays along with a transport shutdown instead of enforcing lockdown as the country was witnessing the surge in coronavirus transmission.
As the country has been experiencing record-breaking Covid cases for the past few days, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday announced to impose a weeklong countrywide lockdown.
Most offices and factories will remain open during the period, but the employees will work in shifts maintaining health safety rules and government guidelines.
Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge
Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued an 18-point directive on March 29 to prevent the transmission of the virus.
Restrictions on movement/activities
The Cabinet Division on Sunday issued a gazette notification imposing restrictions on the movement of people and other activities for seven days in a bid to improve the situation and enforce the lockdown.
The gazette will remain effective from 6 am on April 5 till 12 am on April 11.
According to the gazette, all modes of public transport (road, river, rail and domestic flights) will remain suspended during the period.
Maximum energy, strength need to be employed to tackle Covid: Raushon
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad on Sunday urged the government to employ its maximum energy and strength to tackle the rapid surge in coronavirus infections.
“Experts fear the situation will be dire the way corona infection is growing. Hospitals mow can’t accommodate patients. Under such a situation, it’s very difficult to control the virus spread,” she said.
Delivering her valedictory speech at the 12th session of the 11th parliament, Raushon said the corona-testing capacity should be increased further as people now cannot undergo tests after waiting for hours.
Also read: Perform duties properly to enforce Corona directives: PM
“The facilities for isolation must be enhanced. Maximum strength must be employed to tackle the corona infections,” she added.
The opposition leader deplored that people are showing apathy to health safety rules amid the spike in the Covid cases in Bangladesh.
“There’s hardly any caution among people. The 18-point directive announced by the government is barely followed. People don't wear masks. They get annoyed if they’re given sanitiser. Many people are walking around the book fair without masks,” Raushon observed.
She appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her untiring efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak. “The Prime Minister has been working round the clock to prevent the corona infections. What will be the outcome, if we don’t be cautious?”
Also read: Raushon gives credit to JaPa for country’s progress
The opposition leader said people need to be cautious and provide the government with all-out cooperation by maintaining its directives to slow down the virus transmission.
She said Bangladesh has got the status of a developing country while the country’s GDP growth rate has marked a significant rise.
“The average life expectancy has increased over the few years. Metrorail is being constructed for the development of public transport and the construction of Padma Bridge is nearing completion. The standard of living has also improved. But inequality has increased seriously,” Rahuson said.
She said instability and people’s sense of insecurity have increased, too.” We still couldn’t ensure safe food for people. Three lakh people are getting infected with various diseases every year by consuming adulterated food,” she lamented.
Also read: Those who wanted to erase Bangabandhu's name have been wiped out of history: Raushon Ershad
Covid-19: Bangladesh records 7,087 cases, the highest-ever daily spike
Bangladesh recorded 7,087 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours until Sunday morning which is the highest number of infections since the pandemic began.
Besides, the coronavirus fatalities rose to 9,266 with 53 new deaths during the period. The mortality rate fell to 1.45 on Sunday from Saturday’s 1.46 percent.
Also read: Covid-19 vaccine not a 'silver bullet': WHO
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
The health authorities recorded over 5000 Covid cases on March 29, 30 and 31 and April 3 while over 6000 cases on April 1 and 2 showing an alarming rise in infections.
The infection rate slightly fell to 23.07 percent from 23.15 percent on Saturday.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 637,364 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The number of daily cases and infection rate dropped below 5 percent earlier this year but then infections continue to rise again amid people’s reluctance to maintain health safety rules.
Hospitals are struggling to provide treatment to the increasing number of coronavirus patients with their limited resources. The government is increasing the number of beds and Covid-designated hospitals to deal with the situation.
During the 24-hour period until Sunday morning, 2,707 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 552,482.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later.
Tangia Zaman Methila wins Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020
Beauty pageant Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 crowned Tangia Zaman Methila as the winner on Saturday.Overcoming nine other finalists, Methila was crowned Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 by Bollywood actress Chitrangda Singh at the grand finale of the pageant arranged at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden in Dhaka.
A professional model and actress, Methila will represent Bangladesh in Miss Universe 2020 coronation ceremony on May 16, 2021, in Hollywood, Florida in the USA.
Also read: Miss Universe Bangladesh 2020 announces top 50 contestants’ namesFarzana Yasmin Ananya was crowned as the first runner-up and Farzana Akter Ani became the second runner-up out of the top 10.Through winning the pageant, Methila has also become the second representative from Asian countries in the international beauty pageant, which was formed in 1952.
Previously, Methila was the inaugural Miss Supranational Bangladesh 2019. She is a brand ambassador to several national and international brands in Bangladesh including Tresemme and more. She has also been the showstoppers of major fashion week and fashion shows in the country.
Also read: South African crowned Miss Universe 2019
Besides her modeling career, Methila is also an alumna of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) in Dhaka.
The coronation ceremony was broadcast on Rtv. Bollywood actress Chitrangda Singh joined the grand finale as the guest judge along with Tahsan Khan, Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, Irene Sommer Tilger and Mehruz Munir.
In 2019, Shirin Akter Shela made history as the first-ever Miss Universe Bangladesh, also becoming the first person from a Muslim-majority country in South Asia to compete for the title of Miss Universe. She was unplaced at Miss Universe 2019 that was taken place in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA.
Also read: Tyler Perry's new studio to host 2019 Miss Universe pageant
The Miss Universe 2020 coronation ceremony was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa the longest-reigning Miss Universe.
There are now 76 candidates, including Methila, confirmed to compete in Miss Universe 2020.
Ekushey Book Fair to remain open from 12 to 5pm amid lockdown
The ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair will remain open from 12 to 5 pm every day amid the countrywide seven-day lockdown enforced by the government to fight the 2nd wave of Covid-19.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs issued a notice in this regard on Sunday.
It also instructed the authorities concerned to maintain the health guidelines strictly.
Also read: Boi Mela to be open for 3.5 hours a day due to COVID-19
Earlier the authorities reduced daily the operational hours of the book fair due to recent surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
On March 18, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2021.
Also read: Nat’l committee for stopping Ekushey Book Fair as Covid cases surge
This year’s fair was dedicated to the memories of the martyrs of 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. The main theme of the 2021 fair is “Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of Independence”.
Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh recorded 7,087 fresh cases and 53 deaths in the last 24 hours until Sunday morning.
Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge