coronavirus pandemic
Launch, steamer services to resume Sunday on 34 river routes
Launch and steamer services on 34 river routes across the country will resume on Sunday after about two months.
“Primarily, 40 to 50 launches will operate on these routes and their number will be increased depending on the number of passengers,” said AKM Arif Uddin, joint director, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
He said launch and steamer services will connect a number of districts through 34 routes.
Passengers can travel from Dhaka on Barishal route including Chandpur, Shariatpur, Muladi, Bhola, Patuakhali, barguna, Jhalatathi, Pirojpur, Bhandaria, Khulna, Morellganj from the day, he added.
Health safety measures taken for flight passengers: State Minister
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali on Saturday said that necessary health safety measures have been taken for passengers of domestic flights scheduled to resume from Monday.
All passengers are urged to maintain health guidelines and physical distancing, he said while visiting the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Senior Secretary Mohibul Haque, and Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mofidur Rahman among others were present.
Earlier on May 28, CAAB said that domestic flights would resume on Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Syedpur routes from June 1.
“But the embargo on international flights will be in place until June 15,” CAAB Chairman told UNB.
Primarily, four domestic flights will operate on a small scale and later gradually flights on other routes will resume, he said.
Besides, Biman Bangladesh Airlines also decided to resume its flights from June 1, while the international flights will remain suspended until further notice, said a press release.
8 pairs of trains to run from Sunday; Tickets to be available online only
Eight pairs of trains will start running on different routes from Sunday after suspension of the services for over two months following coronavirus outbreak.
IMF approves US$732mn to address COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a disbursement of SDR 177.77 million, about US$ 244 million or 16.67 percent of quota, under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).
It also approved a purchase of SDR 355.53 million, about US$ 488 million or 33.33 percent of quota) under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
This will help finance the health, social protection and macroeconomic stabilization measures, meet the urgent balance-of-payments and fiscal needs arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, and catalyze additional support from the international community, according to IMF.
The COVID-19 pandemic is severely impacting the Bangladeshi economy, said the lending agency in a media release issued from Washington.
Two major sources of external financing, namely exports of Ready-Made Garments (RMG) and remittance inflows, are projected to decline rapidly.
Necessary policy responses to prevent a domestic pandemic, including the shutdown of major cities, will inevitably affect economic activities and slow growth, it said.
The authorities have started implementing several measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and preserve the country’s macroeconomic prospects.
In addition to increasing health expenditures, the government’s immediate response has focused on expanding food distribution and cash transfer programs to vulnerable populations, ensuring the payment of wages in export-oriented industries, and facilitating the provision of working capital to businesses and farmers.
The authorities remain committed to promoting strong and inclusive growth while preserving macroeconomic stability.
Key policy challenges include tax revenue mobilization, addressing the non-performing loans in the banking sector, and improving infrastructure and governance to enhance the business environment and attract foreign direct investment.
The IMF said it continues to monitor Bangladesh’s situation closely and stands ready to provide further advice and support if needed.
The authorities have also committed to put in place targeted transparency and accountability measures to ensure the appropriate use of emergency financing.
Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Bangladesh, Antoinette Sayeh, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, said the outbreak of COVID-19 is severely affecting the two main sources of Bangladesh’s external earnings, exports of ready-made garments and remittances.
Together with the measures to contain the spread of the virus in the country, the outbreak is expected to result in a significant slowdown of economic growth and the emergence of fiscal and balance of payments needs, said Sayeh.
The IMF’s emergency financial assistance will help cover the financing gap and support the authorities’ effort to contain the adverse impact of the outbreak and catalyze additional support from the international community.
Sayeh in a statement said the authorities have responded quickly to the COVID-19 outbreak with a comprehensive set of measures aimed at containing the spread of the pandemic, providing immediate relief to the most vulnerable households and affected businesses, and preserving the country’s macroeconomic prospects.
A temporary increase in the fiscal deficit is necessary, and it will be important to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of all emergency spending, said the Acting Chair.
“The Bangladesh Bank took appropriate steps to ease liquidity conditions and allow the financial sector to support the economy. Further easing could be considered if the economic situation deteriorates and inflation remains moderate. A gradual increase in exchange rate flexibility should be allowed to adjust to the external shock while preserving foreign reserves," said Sayeh.
“Once the crisis abates, the authorities are committed to re-focus on addressing banking sector problems, including nonperforming loans and the poor performance of the state-owned commercial banks. They are also committed to ensuring fiscal discipline and debt sustainability by broadening the tax base and strengthening tax administration and compliance.”
PM orders greater engagement of local representatives in COVID-19 fight
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to engage the local public representatives in a greater way in containing novel coronavirus in the country.
50% bus seats must be kept vacant: Quader
Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said 50 percent seats of buses must be kept empty while plying on roads from Monday.
Besides, passengers will have to maintain 3 feet distance from each other while travelling, he said while briefing journalists from his residence.
Stern action will be taken against the people concerned for failure to abide by the government directives, he said.
The Minister also said that passengers, drivers, helpers, counter workers, must wear face masks while hand sanitiser, soaps and hand washing facilities must be available at terminals.
He directed bus owners, labourers’ organisations and other stakeholders to form terminal-based monitoring team and arrange counseling for drivers and helpers to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Saturday recommended raising bus fare by 80 percent as bus owners have been directed to carry 50 percent passengers following head guidelines.
The government on Thursday issued a gazette notification allowing limited operation of public transport and offices from May 31 to June 15 amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It said public transports – buses, trains and vessels – will have to maintain health guidelines.
The notification also said that all government, semi-government and autonomous offices will resume under self-management but ailing staff and pregnant women have been asked to refrain from joining work.
BRTA recommends 80% bus fare hike
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Saturday recommended raising bus fare by 80 percent as bus owners have been directed to carry 50 percent passengers to prevent the transmission of coronavirus.
“Road, Transport and Bridges Ministry will take the final decision” BRTA acting Chairman Yunus Ali Molla told UNB.
The government on Thursday issued a gazette notification allowing limited operation of public transport and offices from May 31 to June 15 amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It said public transports – buses, trains and vessels – will have to maintain health guidelines.
The notification also said that all government, semi-government and autonomous offices will resume under self-management but ailing staff and pregnant women have been asked to refrain from joining work.
Coronavirus: Bangladesh sees record 28 deaths in a day, 1,764 new cases
Bangladesh on Saturday recorded the highest number of deaths due to COVID-1 as 28 more patients died in the last 24 hours, raising the death tally to 610.
The country also saw further rise in coronavirus cases with the detection of 1,764 new cases during the same period, taking the total number of cases to 44,608.
Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) came up with the disclosure at its daily health bulletin.
Across the country 360 more patients made recovery, she said adding that so far 9,375 people have recovered from the disease.
ADB provides $231,178 grant to augment COVID-19 related facilities in Bangladesh
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing $231,178 grant to augment novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related facilities in 134 urban primary health centers, also called Nogor Swastho Kendro, across the country.
Coronavirus: Global cases near 6 million
Global coronavirus cases are approaching 6 million with 364,849 deaths since the virus emerged in China late last year.